Elaine Zablocki is a medical journalist based in Eugene, Oregon.
Other Societies Pleased with PACs
Because federal legislation affects so many aspects of medical practice, most large medical societies, and many of the smaller specialty societies, have already formed political action committees.
A number of physician organizations tell The Rheumatologist how pleased they are with their political action committees. For example, the American College of Cardiology formed a PAC in 2001. “Having a PAC means you are able to present your message in more venues than you had before,” says Frank Ryan, director of the college’s PAC. “We really work to support the candidates who we feel understand the needs of our patients. In addition, our members appreciate the fact that there is full disclosure through reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. It is a very open process.”
The American Academy of Neurology does not have a PAC at present, but has been discussing the subject for the past four years. As a first step, they set up an office in Washington, D.C., two years ago. At their next annual meeting, on May 1, the members voted on a bylaw change that would allow the academy to set up a 501(c)(6) organization as a necessary first step towards forming a PAC.
In 1998 the American College of Physicians (ACP), which didn’t have a PAC, merged with a smaller group, the American Society of Internal Medicine (ASIM), which did have a PAC, and the newly formed organization did not retain the PAC. However, in 2005, they started it up again.
“Our thinking has changed over the past few years, given how much Congress is involved in decision-making that affects physicians,” says Patrick Hope, legislative counsel for ACP-ASIM.
The group is pleased with the results of its first election cycle. “While many organizations send their staff to DC-based fundraisers, we try to hold these events back in the district.” Hope says. “That means our physicians get more face time with legislators. When you’re discussing healthcare policy and reimbursement issues, it is so much more effective if members of Congress get to talk directly with physicians.”
