2017 rheumpac annual report klein, md karen kolba, md sharad lakhanpal, md jeffery lawson, md gwen...

2017RheumPAC

Annual Report

The American College of Rheumatology

P O L I T I C A L A C T I O N C O M M I T T E E

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

lthough we all suffered from considerable political fatigue this year, over $130,000 was invested in RheumPAC in 2017. These donations came from almost 340 members of the ACR and ARHP—4% more than in 2016. We are dedicated to growing this number further in 2018. We were able to disburse $114,500 to our targeted congressional candidates this year, but we are only halfway through the 2018 federal election cycle!

Elected officials and government entities make decisions every day that directly affect our work and the lives of our patients. These decisions are based on education and awareness presented by advocates, constituents, and fellow lawmakers. RheumPAC resources facilitate relationships and access to lawmakers that further the work of the College through the Government Affairs Committee, our advocacy team, and the numerous ACR and ARHP members who are personally involved in working with our political leaders on many critical issues facing us and our patients.

In 2017, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held multiple hearings on drug costs, raising points that ACR/ARHP members and patients took to the Hill during the September 2017 Advocates for Arthritis fly-in, including the negative impact of rebates and the need for transparency in the work of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The ACR/ARHP worked with the Coalition for Accessible Treatments to advance federal step therapy legislation in the House of Representatives and worked with the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Coalition to en-hance transparency and accountability in the LCD process used by Medicare regional contractors.

With support of the ACR/ARHP, research funding for the National Institutes of Health was boosted by $2 billion in 2017 despite the administration’s threats to cut it. The ACR/ARHP raised awareness of the impact of arthritis on service members and veterans—specifically that arthritis is the second leading cause of medical discharge from the U.S. Army behind battlefield injury and is the leading cause of disability among veterans, resulting in continued support for arthritis research through the Department of Defense.

2017 was an important year for RheumPAC as we implemented our new membership and benefits program, and unveiled a new donor portal to make contributing simpler and more valuable for all U.S. ACR and ARHP members. The new RheumPAC portal was unveiled in October 2017, and the mobile-friendly site allows users to easily invest in RheumPAC from a smartphone or tablet. The portal allows users to divide annual investments by setting up recurring monthly or quarterly payments, or you can set your annual payment to recur each year so you do not forget. Through the portal you can also access your history of investments at any time and alter or make additional payments when it is convenient for you.

Again this year, our Leadership Circle (contributors of $2,000 or more) membership grew. In addition, our average donation rose to over $500, with a range of $10 to $4,000. Our leadership really showed their support in 2017. RheumPAC received contributions from every single member of its Board of Directors and the RheumPAC, Government Affairs, Foundation Board of Directors, and ARHP Executive Committees.

RheumPAC did more than just build our 2018 war chest. We distributed RheumPAC-branded scarves, tote bags, and smartphone pockets to contributors who invested at the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. In conjunction with the Government Affairs Committee, we provided a legislative update session featuring remarks from Senator Lisa Murkowski. We expanded our annual matching campaign to encompass the entire month of November, during which 92 donors contributed. These contributions were more valuable thanks to 23 ACR/ARHP leaders, who donated an additional $1–7 for every investment, resulting in nearly $4,000 of additional RheumPAC investments.

The RheumPAC Committee expends great effort in determining which members of Congress will be granted financial support. We are absolutely nonpartisan in our decision making, and only contribute to those who have supported the goals of the ACR in the past or are in a position to do so in the current Congress. RheumPAC investors should feel secure that our professional policy issues are being supported and advocated. No campaign contribution is made without the robust thought, explanation, and discussion of our committed RheumPAC members and ACR advocacy staff, and a list of campaigns supported by RheumPAC is maintained and regularly updated on the ACR website.

On behalf of the RheumPAC Committee and the College, we thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to making 2018 our best year yet.

Sincerely,

Harry L. Gewanter, MD, FAAP, FACRChair, RheumPAC Committee

Dr. Harry Gewanter

RheumPAC received contributions from every single member

of its Board of Directors and the RheumPAC, Government Affairs,

Foundation Board of Directors, and ARHP Executive Committees.

A

https://www.rheumatology.org/Advocacy/RheumPAC

https://www.rheumatology.org/Portals/0/Files/RheumPAC-Supported-Candidates.pdf

What is RheumPAC?RheumPAC is the ACR’s nonpartisan political action committee (PAC) that works to elect and support pro-rheumatology candidates. It is the only PAC dedicated to the interests of the rheumatology profession.

Why does the ACR need RheumPAC? RheumPAC is an integral part of the ACR’s advocacy efforts in advancing knowledge of rheumatology-related issues on Capitol Hill. RheumPAC creates opportunities to educate and develop relationships with members of Congress as well as support champions for our issues and our message. It is the financial vehicle through which ACR and ARHP members can support Congressional candidates who share our commitment to rheumatology.

Why should I contribute?Congress enacts health policies that impact your profession and your patients. RheumPAC provides opportunities for the ACR to educate key policymakers on the importance—and especially the value—of rheumatology. RheumPAC needs your support in order to have a realimpact on the ACR’s continuing advocacy efforts. We can only be effectivewhen legislators understand the fight for rheumatology-related issues.

Who receives RheumPAC funds?The RheumPAC Committee uses one or all of the following criteria to determine support for a Congressional candidate:

1. The candidate supports rheumatology-related issues;

2. The candidate holds a leadership position or is assigned to a congressional committee that addresses policy related to rheumatology; and

3. The candidate has an established relationship with the ACR.

Dr. Angus Worthing with House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) accepting the ACR Award for Public Leadership in Rheumatology from Drs. Angus Worthing and Sarah Doaty and members of the ACR Executive Committee.

“I’ve been among the top 10 donors to RheumPAC over the last six years. I am 70 years old. I’ve practiced for almost 40 years in a private practice setting. Why would I donate so generously at this late stage of my career? Because I have seen enormous changes during this time, most of which have been driven by Congress. We all need to see ourselves as stewards of rheumatology. We all have a responsibility to protect the work that we do for our patients and those young physicians who will follow us. We can only do that by influencing government policies, to make those policies relevant. My donations to RheumPAC reflect my commitment to my profession.”

–Herbert Baraf, MD,FACP, MACR

L E A D E R S H I P C I R C L E

A M E R I C A N C O L L E G E O F R H E U M A T O L O G Y P O L I T I C A L A C T I O N C O M M I T T E E

RheumPAC Mission & Vision Statements:MISSION: RheumPAC is the non-partisan political voice of the American College of Rheumatology and the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, and uses member investments to support and educate members of Congress on issues affecting the medical care of patients and the practice of rheumatology and its allied health professions.

VISION: Supported by the majority of eligible members of the College and embraced by the College’s leadership as vital to its mission and success, RheumPAC will become recognized by lawmakers as the most reasoned and credible resource on issues affecting the care of patients suffering from rheumatic diseases and the practice of all professionals who serve them.

RheumPAC Membership Benefits & Levels: Benefit Bronze Silver Gold Platinum Leadership Circle

Lapel Pin

RheumPAC Annual Report

SmartPhone pocket

Quarterly Policy Update

Advocates for Arthritis & Annual Meeting Investor

Events

AM Donor Station Access

AM VIP Housing

Special AM Event (varies by destination)

Level ACR FIT/ARHP

Bronze $100 $50

Silver $250 $150

Gold $500 $350

Platinum $1,000 $600

Leadership Circle $2,000 $1,000

“The rheumatology community took a leading role in some big wins in 2017, like making sure bio-similars will have individual codes for billing and pharmacovigilance, and removing Medicare Part B drug reimbursement from the specter of large MIPS payment penalties. We couldn’t do this without the relationships on Capitol Hill provided by RheumPAC investments. I encourage all ACR/ARHP members to participate!”

—Angus B. Worthing, MD,FACP, MACR


You may contribute at www.rheumatology.org/Advocacy/RheumPAC with a personal credit card. You may also divide annual investments by setting up recur-ring monthly or quarterly payments, or you can set your annual payment to recur each year so you do not forget!

You may also mail a personal check to:

RheumPAC2200 Lake Boulevard NEAtlanta, GA 30319

Disclaimer: You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to contribute to RheumPAC. All contributions are voluntary and must be made using personal, non-corporate funds. RheumPAC contributions are not tax deductible. Federal law requires RheumPAC to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer of any individuals whose contribution exceeds $200 in a calendar year.

Arthritis Caucus Chair Rep. DavidMcKinley (R-WV) accepting a Simple Tasks fork pin from 2017 ACR President Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal and Dr. Angus Worthing.

2 0 1 7 R H E U M P A C A N N U A L R E P O R T

2 0 1 7 A C R A D V O C A C Y Y E A R I N R E V I E W I N F O G R A P H I CB R O U G H T T O Y O U B Y R H E U M P A C


Leadership Circle

Herbert Baraf, MD David Borenstein, MD Nilsa Cruz, BS Colin Edgerton, MD Jody Hargrove, MD Wheaton, MD Washington, DC Milwaukee, WI North Charleston, SC Edina, MN

Angus Worthing, MD Grace Wright, MD Washington DC New York, NY

William Harvey, MD Edward Herzig, MD Stuart Kassan, MD Steven Kimmel, MD Charles King II, MD Boston, MA Cincinnati, OH Lakewood, CO Tamarac, FL Tupelo, MS

Steven Klein, MD Karen Kolba, MD Sharad Lakhanpal, MD Jeffery Lawson, MD Gwen Melton, MD Hagerstown, MD Pismo Beach, CA Dallas, TX Greenville, SC Fayetteville, NC

William Mullins, MD Meera Oza, MD William Palmer, MD Thalia Ramanujam, MD Ellison Smith, MD Potomac, MD Orange Park, FL Omaha, NE Santa Cruz, CA Asheville, NC

$2,000+


“If you are providing medical care you are involved in politics. Elected lawmakers manage your license, your ability to prescribe, your patients’ access to coverage, and your research—the list goes on and on. The only question is how much will you choose to be involved? PACs facilitate and magnify our involvement in these decisions. As leaders we are expected to support these advocacy efforts and engage with lawmakers through RheumPAC.”

–Charles M. King II, MD


Ashley Beall, MD

Michael Brooks, MD

Gary Bryant, MD

Cathy Chapman, MD

Paul DeMarco, MD

Gerald Eisenberg, MD

Lee Douglas Graham, MD

Joseph Eugene Huffstutter, MD

Kent Kwas Huston, MD

Kevin Kempf, MD

Howard Kenney, MD

Daniel Malone, MD

Alan Matsumoto, MD

Allan Morton, DO

Mark Pearson, MD

William Robinson, MD

Robert Rosenberg, MD

William St.Clair, MD

Katherine Upchurch, MD

Joan Marie Von Feldt, MD

Douglas White, MD, PhD

Fehmida Zahabi, MD

Platinum $1,000-1,999

2017 RheumPAC CommitteeHarry Gewanter, MD

Chair, North Chesterfield, VA

Herbert Baraf, MDWheaton, MD

Nilsa Cruz, BSMilwaukee, WI

Jody Hargrove, MDEdina, MN

Fotios Koumpouras, MDNew Haven, CT

Vicki Merrell, PA-C, MPTEncinitas, CA

Matthew Mundwiler, MDColumbus, OH

Alex Perel-Winkler, MDNew York, NY

Priya Sivaraman, MDDallas, TX

Brett Smith, DOFarragut, TN

Katherine Upchurch, MDWorcester, MA

Staff: Lennie Shewmaker, JD

Advocacy staff Lennie Shewmaker, JD, and Adam Cooper, MS, with Dr. Gwenesta Melton at the RheumPAC booth at the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in San Diego.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) addressing attendees of the Legislative Update Session at the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in San Diego from her office in Washington, DC.

Amar Majjhoo, MD

Paula Marchetta, MD, MBA

Luiziana Marinescu, MD

Jennifer May, MD

Douglas Mund, MD

Stephanie Ott, MD

Elizabeth Perkins, MD

Carlos Plata, MD

Marilynn Punaro, MD

Eric Ruderman, MD

Raymond Scalettar, MD, DSc

Patrick Schuette, MD, FACP

Michael Schweitz, MD

Anu Sharma, MD

Jayashree Sinha, MD

Terence Starz, MD

Nicole Thomas, MD

Elizabeth Tindall, MD

Anne Winkler, MD, PhD, MACP

Barton Wise, MD

Richard Yonker, DO

Aryeh Abeles, MD

Martin Bergman, MD

Howard Blumstein, MD

Michael Borofsky, MD

Ruy Carrasco, MD

Amy Evangelisto, MD

David Fox, MD

Alan Friedman, MD

Gilbert Gelfand, MD

Harry Gewanter, MD

Karla Jones, RN, MS, CPNP

David Karp, MD, PhD

Sharon Kolasinski, MD

Jonathan Kushi, MD

Erica Lawson, MD

Benjamin Lechner, MD

Joseph Lemmer, MD

Robert Levin, MD

Alex Limanni, MD

William Maier, MD

Gold $500-999

Arthritis Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) meets withproviders and patients from California during Advocates for Arthritis.


“I used the portal and set up a monthly donation. Super easy. Go RheumPAC!”

–Sean Fahey, MD


“Having the ability to lend support, which will not only further my business agenda but those who come after me makes sense from a business perspective, and allow me to feel like I am ‘doing my part and giving back.’”

—Steven Klein, MD, FACP, MACR



Dr. Angus Worthing representing the ACR at a policy briefing in the US Capitol.

Silver$250-499

Abby Abelson, MD, FACR

Haddon Alexander, MD

Anne Bass, MD

Donah Beale, MD

Neal Birnbaum, MD

Irene Blanco, MD

Susan Boackle, MD

S. Louis Bridges, MD, PhD

Calvin Brown, MD

Peter Coutlakis, MD

Jurgen Craig-Muller, MD

Bruce Cronstein, MD

John Cush, MD

David Daikh, MD, PhD

Maria Danila, MD, MSc

Chad Deal, MD

Deborah Desir, MD

Kenneth DesRosier, MD

Rajat Dhar, MD

Emma DiIorio, MD

James Engelbrecht, MD

Alan Epstein, MD

Sean Fahey, MD

Mitchell Feinman, MD

Madelaine Feldman, MD

Ira Fenton, DO

Richard Field, MD

John FitzGerald, MD

Joseph Flood, MD

Richard Furie, MD

Neil Gonter, MD

Judith Gordon, BS

David Greenblatt, MD

Howard Hauptman, MD

V. Michael Holers, MD

Adrienne Hollander, MD

Emily Isaacs, MD

Edgar Jessee, MD

Dannette Johnson, DO

Salahuddin Kazi, MD

Stacy Kennedy, MD, MBA

Raphael Kieval, MD

Marisa Klein-Gitelman, MD, MPH

Ami Kothari, MD

Robert Koval, MD

Kristine Kuhn, MD, PhD

Joseph Laukaitis, MD

Bonita Libman, MD

Emily Marx, MD

Alfonse Masi, MD, DrPH

Eric Matteson, MD

Zsuzsanna McMahan, MD, MHS

Ted Mikuls, MD

Sandra Mintz, MSN, RN

Christopher Morris, MD

Mohan Penmetcha, MD

Christopher Phillips, MD

Jeffrey Potter, MD

Christian Rhea, DO, FACR

Roy Sampson, MD

Paul Schulman, MD

Anupama Sharma, MD

Evan Siegel, MD

Arielle Silver, MD

Nora Singer, MD

Padmapriya Sivaraman, MD

Brett Smith, DO

Karina Torralba, MD

Audrey Uknis, MD

Alicia Weeks, MD

Kelly Weselman, MD

Stephen White, MD

“Realizing the magnitude of my challenges in practicing rheuma-tology in this current healthcare landscape, I need to utilize every opportunity available to continue to render care to my patients with rheumatic disease. Investing in RhemPAC allows me to participate in a process that will benefit my practice and my patients that I cannot achieve alone. Your RheumPAC investment gives you a loud and consistent voice to express your needs, assess the healthcare obstacles, and gain legislative insight to fight for patient access and maintain your practice. I rest peacefully each year knowing that my annual RheumPAC investment is benefiting myself, my colleagues, and all of my patients!”

—Gwenesta B. Melton, MD,FACP, MACR


Karen Onel, MDChinYoung Park, MDMurray Passo, MD

Justin Peng, MDMona Pervil-Ulysse, MD

Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman, MDVirginia Reddy, MD

Alejandra Rodriguez-Paez, MDChristopher Ronkar, MD

Edward Rose, MDA. Silvia Ross, MD

Russell Rothenberg, MDTamar Rubinstein, MD

Natasha Ruth, MDDaniel Schaffer, PA-C

Elizabeth Schlenk, PhD, RN Veronika Sharp, MDYvonne Sherrer, MD

Lori Siegel, MDBarbara Slusher, PA-C, MSc

Marcus Snow, MDMarilyn Solsky, MD

Paul Sufka, MDNeil Sullivan, MD

Donald Thomas, MD Jennifer Trizuto, MPT George Tsokos, MD

James Udell, MDHeather Van Mater, MD, MS

Jill Vargo, MDRichard Vehe, MD

Steven Vlad, MD, PhDZachary Wallace, MDDavid Wolfe, MD, FACR

Chris Adams, MDEmem Adolf-Ubokudom, MD

Grace Ahn, MDStacy Ardoin, MD

Robert Ashman, MDJanet Bahr, ANP, BC Matthew Baker, MD

Alfonso Bello, MD, MHSJeffry Bieber, MD

Bryce Binstadt, MDJoel Block, MD

Reuven Bromberg, MDLeigh Callahan, PhDLaura Cappelli, MD Cecilia Chung, MD

Karen Costenbader, MDWilliam Davis, MDShari Diamond, MD Sarah Doaty, MDYoel Drucker, MD

Anisha Dua, MD, MPHGuada Respicio Duque, MD, MS, FACR

Linda Ehrlich-Jones, PhD, RN Elana Eisner, MD

Daniel El-Bogdadi, MDPolly Ferguson, MD

Robert Fuhlbrigge, MD, PhDDavid Goddard, MDPaul Goldfarb, MD

Adam Goode, PT, DPT, PhD

Ellen Gravallese, MDAlexei Grom, MD

Helen Harmon, MD Afton Hassett, PsyD

Jonathan Hausmann, MD Daniel Horton, MDAnthony Hou, MDSuzan House, MD

Evelyn Hsieh, MD, PhDAnna Imperato, MD

Dana Jacobs-Kosmin, MDRobert Kalish, MD

Paul Katzenstein, MDIrene Kazmers, MD

Gail Kerr, MD, FRCPFotios Koumpouras, MD

Bharat Kumar, MDTim Laing, MD

Suzanne Li, MDKristine Lohr, MD, MS

Shawn Macalester, DOVikas Majithia, MDDana Mandel, MD Daksha Mehta, MD Jay Mehta, MD, MS

Victoria Menzies, PhD, RN, CNS-BCKaleb Michaud, PhDKenneth Miller, MDDeeba Minhas, MD

Matthew Mundwiler, MDBarry Myones, MD

Timothy Niewold, MD Jane Nishio, MD

James O’Dell, MDKathleen O’Neil, RN

Rep. David Brat (R-VA) with RheumPAC Chair Dr. Harry Gewanter and other Virginiaproviders and patients during Advocates for Arthritis.

Bronze $100-249

“In order to be heard concerningthe issues that are important for the future of rheumatology, you have to be in the room educating the people who are making the decisions. RheumPAC gets rheumatologists in the room. Over time, rheumatologists have become increas-ingly valued as a thoughtful group with solutions to important problems that affect patient care. Contributions to RheumPAC need to continue so that we can remain pertinent to the conversation.”

—David Borenstein, MD




2018 Election Cycle Supported Candidates (as of December 31, 2017)

U.S. House ofRepresentativesAmi Bera, MD (D-CA-7)

Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12)

Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7)

Kevin Brady (R-TX-8)

Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX-26)

Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA-1)

Charlie Crist (D-FL-13)

Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3)

Anna Eshoo (D-CA-18)

Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ-11)

Tom Graves (R-GA-14)

Morgan Griffith (R-VA-9)

Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2)

Andy Harris, MD (R-MD-1)

Rep. Mike Bishop (D-MI) meets Michigan advocates during Advocates for Arthritis.


“RheumPAC has enabled the ACR to be the single strongest voice in advocating for private practice rheumatology.” –Colin C. Edgerton, MD

George Holding (R-NC-13)

Steny Hoyer (D-MD-5)

Richard Hudson (R-NC-8)

Joe Kennedy (D-MA-4)

Ron Kind (D-WI-3)

Leonard Lance (R-NJ-7)

John Lewis (D-GA-5)

Billy Long (R-MO-7)

Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-23)

David McKinley (R-WV-1)

Scott Peters (D-CA-X)

Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-5)

Phil Roe, MD (R-TN-1)

Peter Roskam (R-IL-6)

Raul Ruiz, MD (D-CA-36)

Paul Ryan (R-WI-1)

Steve Scalise (R-LA-1)

John Shimkus (R-IL-15)

Pat Tiberi (R-OH-12)

Fred Upton (R-MI-6)

Greg Walden (R-OR-2)

U.S. SenateJohn Barrasso. MD (R-WY)

Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA)

Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

Tim Kaine (D-VA)

Chris Murphy (D-CT)

Tim Scott (R-SC)

Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

Total disbursements—$114,500

“It is critical we invest in RheumPAC to sustain the future of rheumatology. We saw the results of our advocacy efforts in the incredible victories we have had in the first six weeks of 2018, including repeal of IPAB. We cannot rest on our laurels, but need to build on the momentum. Let us continue the good work to nurture our profes-sion and assure the wellbeing of our patients by continuing to invest in RheumPAC!”

—Sharad Lakhanpal, MBBS, MD

“As the chair of the Government Affairs Committee, I would like to ask a favor of all U. S. rheumatologists to invest in RheumPAC. In every election year—especially in our current climate of health policy reform—GAC must meet new members of Con-gress and establish relationships with new leaders of health committees. We often do this at campaign fundraiser events. Please consider investing in the bipartisan RheumPAC to get us ‘in the door’ and make your voice heard.”

—Angus Worthing, MD, FACP, FACR


2017 rheumpac annual report klein, md karen kolba, md sharad lakhanpal, md jeffery lawson, md gwen...

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