Presentation Title Subtitle, Presenter

Campaign to promote student pharmacist involvement in the 2012 Presidential Election Campaign to promote student pharmacist involvement in the 2012 Presidential Election Encourages student pharmacists to advocate our position on key issues facing pharmacy Encourages student pharmacists to advocate our position on key issues facing pharmacy Provides chapters with resources to take action Provides chapters with resources to take action – Voting registration procedures – Absentee and early voting – Presidential candidates’ healthcare platforms – Other opportunities to take action as Election Day approaches

Voting is the single most important action student pharmacists can take to have their voices heard Voting is the single most important action student pharmacists can take to have their voices heard Why? Why? – Support candidate who are aligned with your political views – Support candidates and policies that promote the value of a pharmacist

1800: Thomas Jefferson was elected President by one electoral vote 1800: Thomas Jefferson was elected President by one electoral vote 1845: One vote made Texas part of the United States 1845: One vote made Texas part of the United States 1960: John F. Kennedy was elected President by carrying one state by less than one popular vote per precinct 1960: John F. Kennedy was elected President by carrying one state by less than one popular vote per precinct

The U.S. Constitution spells out the basic presidential election process. The 12 th, 22 nd, and 23 rd Amendments modified this process. The U.S. Constitution spells out the basic presidential election process. The 12 th, 22 nd, and 23 rd Amendments modified this process. The U.S. Constitution requires the following to be eligible for presidential candidacy: The U.S. Constitution requires the following to be eligible for presidential candidacy: – At least 35 years old – A natural born citizen of the United States – A resident of the United States for 14 years

Step 1: Primaries and Caucuses Step 1: Primaries and Caucuses – Primaries: Candidates are awarded a certain number of delegates to represent them at the national convention. – Caucuses: Leaders of a political party meet to decide upon candidates for Presidency. Step 2: National Conventions Step 2: National Conventions – Delegates nationwide gather to finalize each political party’s Presidential nominee. – Winner chooses a running mate to be the candidate for Vice President.

Step 3: The General (or Popular) Election Step 3: The General (or Popular) Election – Voters in each state cast their vote for a group of people known as the electors who comprise the Electoral College. – The number of votes determines how many electoral voters a candidate receives. Step 4: The Electoral College Step 4: The Electoral College – Consists of 538 electors. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the President. – Each state’s entitled allotment of electors corresponds to the number of members in its Congressional delegation: one for each member in the House of Representatives and two for a state’s Senators.

Step 4: The Electoral College Step 4: The Electoral College – In December, electors vote for a Presidential candidate based on the results of the general election in their state. – Ballots are sent to Congress and the National Archives. – On January 6 th, each state’s electoral votes are counted before a Joint Session of Congress and a winner is announced. Step 5: Inauguration On January 20 th, the President takes the oath of office to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Mitt Romney photo by Gage Skidmore

President Barack Obama supported the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, which: –Bars insurance companies from dropping patients when they get sick, or limiting the benefit amount –Prohibits discriminating against or charging higher rates for individuals with pre-existing conditions –Allows young adults to stay on their parents’ plans –Allows individuals with income up to 133% of the poverty line to qualify for Medicaid –Fines individuals who do not have insurance $695 –Requires complete coverage of preventative care President Barack Obama supported the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, which: –Bars insurance companies from dropping patients when they get sick, or limiting the benefit amount –Prohibits discriminating against or charging higher rates for individuals with pre-existing conditions –Allows young adults to stay on their parents’ plans –Allows individuals with income up to 133% of the poverty line to qualify for Medicaid –Fines individuals who do not have insurance $695 –Requires complete coverage of preventative care

Governor Mitt Romney –Supports the repeal of the Affordable Care Act –Would allow states, not the federal government, to set standards and requirements for both Medicaid and private insurance plans –Would require individuals to maintain continuous coverage in order to avoid discrimination based on pre-existing conditions –Would increase flexibility of and competition between insurance plans Governor Mitt Romney –Supports the repeal of the Affordable Care Act –Would allow states, not the federal government, to set standards and requirements for both Medicaid and private insurance plans –Would require individuals to maintain continuous coverage in order to avoid discrimination based on pre-existing conditions –Would increase flexibility of and competition between insurance plans

President Barack Obama –The ACA requires coverage of preventative care with no out-of-pocket cost, which includes: well-woman visits, contraceptive methods and counseling, STD counseling, testing for HIV and HPV, gestational diabetes screening, breastfeeding support, domestic violence counseling, and cancer screenings –The ACA prohibits insurance companies from charging different premiums based on gender –The ACA requires all insurance plans to include maternity benefits President Barack Obama –The ACA requires coverage of preventative care with no out-of-pocket cost, which includes: well-woman visits, contraceptive methods and counseling, STD counseling, testing for HIV and HPV, gestational diabetes screening, breastfeeding support, domestic violence counseling, and cancer screenings –The ACA prohibits insurance companies from charging different premiums based on gender –The ACA requires all insurance plans to include maternity benefits

Governor Mitt Romney –Supports the Blunt Amendment, a congressional proposal allowing employers to not cover certain services (such as contraception) on their insurance plans because of their beliefs –Has stated that he would eliminate federal funding for women’s preventative health services provided by Planned Parenthood –Would eliminate most federal requirements for health insurance plan benefits, including preventative care Governor Mitt Romney –Supports the Blunt Amendment, a congressional proposal allowing employers to not cover certain services (such as contraception) on their insurance plans because of their beliefs –Has stated that he would eliminate federal funding for women’s preventative health services provided by Planned Parenthood –Would eliminate most federal requirements for health insurance plan benefits, including preventative care

President Barack Obama –The ACA will increase Medicare’s solvency by reducing costs by $700 billion due to waste, fraud, and inefficiencies over the next ten years. These cuts do not affect benefits, but providers will receive less reimbursement if costs grow faster than projected –Seniors now receive preventative care, including an annual wellness visit, cancer screenings, and flu shots, at no out- of-pocket cost –Bonus payments to primary care providers are designed to increase access to care President Barack Obama –The ACA will increase Medicare’s solvency by reducing costs by $700 billion due to waste, fraud, and inefficiencies over the next ten years. These cuts do not affect benefits, but providers will receive less reimbursement if costs grow faster than projected –Seniors now receive preventative care, including an annual wellness visit, cancer screenings, and flu shots, at no out- of-pocket cost –Bonus payments to primary care providers are designed to increase access to care

Governor Mitt Romney – Seniors would receive a fixed-amount benefit to spend towards premiums and other costs of the insurance plan of their choice – “Traditional” government-administered Medicare would compete with private insurance plans – All plans would provide benefits at least equivalent to those provided by Medicare today – Seniors would be financially responsible for any costs over those covered by the fixed-amount benefit

IssueRomneyObama Affordable Care Act Opposes national healthcare policy Supports national healthcare policy Prescription Drug Disposal Program No specific proposal Supports use and development of Prescription Drug Importation No specific proposal Supports, from developed countries only if proven safe Medicare Part D Supports prescription drug programs but pushes for Medicare reform Supports negotiation of Medicare drug prices and closure of the “donut hole” MTM No specific proposal BTC Class of Drugs No specific proposal

Must be registered in order to vote Must be registered in order to vote – Except in North Dakota Requirements for registration Requirements for registration – U.S. Citizen – 18 years of age on or before election day – Be a resident in the state you plan to register Most states require registration 30 days prior to the election Most states require registration 30 days prior to the election

Mail-in registration forms Mail-in registration forms Local registrar of voters office Local registrar of voters office Other locations vary by state Other locations vary by state – Department of Motor Vehicles – Public Libraries – College & Universities – Office of the Country Clerk – Organized Voter Registration Drives – Online

Download a National Voter Registration Form at and then mail the form to the address provided OR Contact your local registrar of voters

Locate and confirm your polling place Locate and confirm your polling place Educate yourself on the candidates Educate yourself on the candidates – Use a variety of media sources Mark your calendars for November 6 Mark your calendars for November 6

For those who are unable to make it to the polls on election dayFor those who are unable to make it to the polls on election day –Most states do not require a reason to vote early Conducted via mail or in personConducted via mail or in person Must ask for a ballot to be mailed to your physical addressMust ask for a ballot to be mailed to your physical address –Special requirements for college dormitories For those who are unable to make it to the polls on election dayFor those who are unable to make it to the polls on election day –Most states do not require a reason to vote early Conducted via mail or in personConducted via mail or in person Must ask for a ballot to be mailed to your physical addressMust ask for a ballot to be mailed to your physical address –Special requirements for college dormitories

Does registration cost anything? No, it is free. How do I know if I am already registered to vote? If you are not sure if you have registered before, you should call your Registrar of Voters or City/County Elections Office and ask if you are registered. Am I registered once I fill out and mail the registration form? You must receive your voter registration card in order to be registered. If you have not received your card you can call your Registrar of Voters or City/County Elections Office and ask if you are registered. Do I have to register every time I vote? No. The only times you have to reregister are when you move, change your name, want to change your political party, or if you have completed all conditions of a felony charge. If I didn’t vote in the last election do I need to register again? If you registered but did not vote you are still registered and do not need to register again. Does registration cost anything? No, it is free. How do I know if I am already registered to vote? If you are not sure if you have registered before, you should call your Registrar of Voters or City/County Elections Office and ask if you are registered. Am I registered once I fill out and mail the registration form? You must receive your voter registration card in order to be registered. If you have not received your card you can call your Registrar of Voters or City/County Elections Office and ask if you are registered. Do I have to register every time I vote? No. The only times you have to reregister are when you move, change your name, want to change your political party, or if you have completed all conditions of a felony charge. If I didn’t vote in the last election do I need to register again? If you registered but did not vote you are still registered and do not need to register again.

What is a political campaign? What is a political campaign? – An organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process – To educate or push a particular stance on an issue Another way to support initiatives that improve the practice of pharmacy Another way to support initiatives that improve the practice of pharmacy

Getting involved Getting involved – Passing out stickers or pamphlets – Writing s – Calling or visiting voters – Organizing meetings – Staffing events and Rallies It can take as much or as little time as you have available It can take as much or as little time as you have available

Legislators’ offices may not call you back or answer your message Legislators’ offices may not call you back or answer your message – This doesn’t mean that they don’t need your help – Polite persistence is key Communicate any special skills you have when volunteering Communicate any special skills you have when volunteering – If you want to volunteer on a regular basis, consider applying to become an intern Candidates with a party affiliation may have staff from the state around Candidates with a party affiliation may have staff from the state around

President Obama’s Campaign Action Center: ome-a-volunteer?source=primary-nav Governor Romney’s Campaign Action Center:

Host a Voters Registration Host a Voters Registration or Pledge Drive Host patient care events at polling sites Host patient care events at polling sites – Collaborate with organizations focused on national health: Million Hearts Campaign Million Hearts Campaign Voteandvax.org Voteandvax.org Educate your school and Educate your school andcommunity Raise funds for the APhA PAC Raise funds for the APhA PAC

Contact your Contact your – APhA-ASP Chapter SPAN Liaison (Insert name) (Insert name) – APhA-ASP Policy Standing Committee Regional Liaison (Insert name) (Insert name) – Local Registrar of Voters

Questions?