In the past, some ACR members have made individual financial contributions to political candidates, but the organization as a whole has not been able to contribute to political campaigns. Because ACR has formed a PAC, now its members will be able to contribute as a group to politicians who understand the viewpoint of rheumatologists, rheumatology health professionals, and rheumatology patients. This is especially important now that Congress is considering a number of issues that deeply affect rheumatologists, Wormley says.
It is so important for ACR to take a proactive role and participate in activities in Washington, D.C.
—Sharad Lakhanpal, MD
Members Weigh In
Some ACR members with a special interest in national healthcare issues have been happy to learn that ACR will now have its own PAC. “ACR has grown to be a significant body,” says Sharad Lakhanpal, MD, of Rheumatology Associates in Dallas, Texas. “Whether we like politics or not, the fact is that decisions taken by politicians are going to affect our lives and livelihood. It is so important for ACR to take a proactive role and participate in activities in Washington, D.C.” Dr. Lakhanpal already sent in his PAC contribution.
“Over the last two years the ACR government affairs committee has recommended a PAC to the ACR board of directors,” says Joseph Flood, MD, chair of the ACR government affairs committee who is president of Musculoskeletal Medical Specialties, Inc., and a clinical faculty member at the Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health in Columbus. “We think this is an important way for us to ensure that our message is clearly articulated to Congress. PACs are designed to support those who share our opinions by making contributions to candidates.” He reports that the fledgling PAC has already received many contributions from ACR members.
“It is really essential to form this PAC, since healthcare and rheumatology are influenced so much by the actions of legislators in Washington, D.C.,” says Ann Kunkel, BS, an education coordinator in pediatric rheumatology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, in Kansas City. “Private health insurers tend to follow the lead set by Medicare, so it’s really important for us to have a voice there.” Kunkel serves on the ARHP education committee.
Deborah A. McCloskey, RN, BSN, nursing care coordinator of the Scleroderma Program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, in New Brunswick, agrees. “Forming a PAC is a great idea and a major accomplishment,” she says. “We deal with diseases that are relatively small in numbers. Forming a PAC will give us a louder voice at the table. If we want to maintain a place so we can influence legislators on behalf of our practice and our patients, this is the right thing to do.” McCloskey is co-chair of the ARHP advocacy committee.
The Fine Print
A complex series of laws and regulations affects contributions to political candidates and legislators. (The Federal Election Commission “Campaign Guide” fills 134 pages.) Since the ACR is a 501(c)(6) organization, it is able to form a PAC as a standing committee of the parent organization. The ACR’s PAC will be overseen by a committee of nine members, each serving a four-year term with the opportunity to serve two additional terms. It is organized as a “Separate Segregated Fund,” which means that all contributions to the PAC go into a separate bank account, and are not comingled with ACR general funds.
Like any other political action committee, the new rheumatology PAC will be subject to financial limits under federal law. It will be able to contribute up to $5,000 to any one candidate during a primary election campaign, and then another $5,000 during the general election.
“The ACR Government Affairs Committee will continue to examine proposed legislation and any political issues that concern rheumatologists,” explains Wormley. “The Political Action Committee will review contributions and campaign finance reports, and ensure that ACR complies with all regulations on political contributions.”
In addition, ACR contracts with Patton Boggs, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy law firm, to serve as its outside counsel. The PAC, with advice from the Government Affairs Committee and Patton Boggs, will determine which legislators and candidates should receive contributions from ACR.
ACR members in the United States will soon receive information about the new PAC, suggesting various ways they can become more involved in the political process on behalf of rheumatology. “Some of the other specialty societies such as orthopedics and radiology have been particularly effective in getting their message across, and I believe their political action committees have played an important role in this process,” says Stuart Kassan, MD, of Colorado Arthritis Associates in Denver. “The bottom line is that a political action committee will allow us to advocate most effectively for our patients, for the specialty, and for science.”
Elaine Zablocki is a medical journalist based in Eugene, Oregon.
