ACRA Advocacy Efforts

http://www.radpac.org

RADPAC is the bipartisan, multicandidate political action committee of the American College of Radiology Association (ACRA). Its goal is to support and elect pro-radiology candidates at the federal level through the voluntary contributions of dues-paying ACRA members. RADPAC works through the political process to keep the concerns of radiologists in the legislative forefront.

Why Political Advocacy is Important?

- EVERYONE else is doing it!

- Over 4,200 registered federal political action committees (PACs) in Washington, D.C.

-Congressional Office Saturation – EVERYDAY a congressional office gets:

- Inbound emails: 200+- Faxes: 100+- Phone calls: 30-40- In-person visits: 3-5

Top Health Provider PACs in 2007-2008

PAC Name  PAC Name  PAC Name  

Raised* Contributed*American Medical Association $3,263,871 $3,346,775American Society of Anesthesiologists $3,120,319 $2,808,321American Dental Association $2,453,054 $2,586,431American Assoc. of Orthopaedic Surgeons $2,372,846 $2,419,766American Optometric Assoc. $1,769,435 $1,773,822American College of Radiology $1,702,359 $1,731,225American Academy of Ophthalmology $1,697,897 $1,700,426American College of Emergency Physicians $1,683,776 $1,634,049American Assoc. of Nurse Anesthetists $1,314,511 $1,650,783National Community Pharmacists $1,251,668 $940,549American Physical Therapy Assoc. $1,248,825 $1,306,148College of American Pathologists $1,076,533 $1,063,360American College of Surgeons $1,064,574 $979,013American Podiatric Medical Assoc. $954,555 $882,400American College of Cardiology $786,074 $1,027,948

*The information listed here is based on data released by the FEC on March 02, 2009 and published with the Center for Responsive Politics. The data here is a summary of monies raised and spent by health care and provider group political action committees for the 2007-2008 election cycle. *This data includes miscellaneous receipts and disbursements but does not include soft money contributions.

Will Radiology Have a Seat at the Table?

Ophthalmologists

Psychiatric Assn. Surgeons

Pathologists

Anesthesiologists

Congressman Phil Gingrey, M.D.

ACR?

Picture from actual fundraising event hosted by RADPAC in 2007.

RADPAC’s 2008 Success

•Most hard dollars raised $875,677•Most total dollars raised $964,581•Most RADPAC hosted events in DC 33•Most radiology-specific local fundraising events 9•Most contributions made to federal candidates $915,500•Most fundraising events attended by RADPAC 458•Most online contributors 110

$338,306$517,524

$1,149,739

$1,464,090

$1,922,871

$0

$500,000

$1,000,000

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

1999-2000 2001-2002 2003-2004 2005-2006 2007-2008

RADPAC Contributions Raised(Total Hard & Soft Money Combined)

Goal was $2,000,000 in 2007-2008

RADPAC Contributions Made(Hard Money Only Figures)

$106,000

$528,100

$981,000 $1,111,850

$1,707,500

$0

$500,000

$1,000,000

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

1999-2000 2001-2002 2003-2004 2005-2006 2007-2008

RADPAC’s Impact on Capitol Hill● 179 House Members have co-sponsored H.R. 1293 and 28 Senators have co-sponsored S. 1338 – the imaging bill to stop imaging cuts implemented on 1/1/2007.

● 140 House Members co-sponsored H.R. 5704 and 24 Senators co-sponsored S.3795 – imaging bill in 2006 to prevent implementation of the imaging cuts.

● Thwarting attempts to weaken and/or repeal self-referral (Stark) Laws

● Avoiding cuts to Medicare’s Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula in 2003-2006.

● Continuing to keep medical liability reform legislation at the forefront of congressional debate.

● Establishing the National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. This institute has a budget of $280+ million per annum, increasing payments to physicians and facilities for mammograms ($750 million over 10 years).

● Pushing for reauthorization of Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) in 2007.

Restriction on Residents

Due to Federal Election Commission

regulations, RADPAC is not allowed to solicit

residents because they do not pay dues to the

American College of Radiology Association.

So, what CAN you do as a Resident……

How Residents Can Make a Difference

● Educate your resident colleagues about RADPAC – what it does and the important role it plays on impacting healthcare policy.

● Apply to the ACR’s Government Relations J.T. Rutherford Fellowship where you spend a week in Washington, D.C. learning about day-to-day lobbying activities.

● Reach out to the RADPAC resident board members and ask for ways to increase awareness to other resident programs.

● Reach out to RADPAC and ask to have your Member of Congress visit/tour your program.

Political Pyramid

Friend

Political Friend

CampaignVolunteers

Campaign/PACContributors

½ Voters Vote for Opponents

Voters(40-60% of Registered Voters Don’t Vote)

Registered Voters

Eligible Voters(25% Can’t Legally Vote – age, non-citizens, etc)

Roughly 600,000 Constituents in Congressional District

Member of CongressThe higher you are on the pyramid, the better chance you will have the “ear” of the Member of Congress.

IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO WORK WITH RADPAC.

For more information call Ted Burnes or Heather Kaiser toll-free at: 1-888-295-8843

or visit the website at www.radpac.org