In a report card released by the American College of Emergency Physicians, Colorado earned a “C+” and ranked No. 13 in the United States for the support given to emergency room patients.

With regard to the number of inpatient beds the state ranked No. 47 and in terms of psychiatric beds, it reached the 50th position.

Arkansas ranked last in the nation with a “D-” and Washington got an "F" grade in access to emergency care. The latter state enjoys a “C” for its support to emergency patients and received an “A” for its Quality & Patient Safety Environment. Residents definitely need more primary care doctors and mental health providers, in addition to more emergency departments overall, said Dr. Eric Shipley, president of the Washington Chapter of ACEP.

The nation was given a “D-“for access to medical care, as well as a “C-” for the state of emergency medicine. Physicians are facing a problem of great magnitude, being required “to do more with less every single day,” Dr. Angela Gardner from American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) said. They are being asked to take care of an increasing number of patients, to do their job with fewer nurses, as well as with fewer beds in the medical unit. “So they have no place to put the patients that they're seeing."

According to the ACEP, emergency room visits have increased by 32% over the past 10 years. However, there are 7% fewer emergency rooms in hospitals.