ACRA Advocacy Efforts

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 s: Faxes: Phone calls: In-person visits: 3-5

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

RADPAC Contributions Raised (Total Hard & Soft Money Combined) Goal was $2,000,000 in

RADPAC Contributions Made (Hard Money Only Figures)

RADPAC’s Impact on Capitol Hill ● 179 House Members have co-sponsored H.R and 28 Senators have co- sponsored S – the imaging bill to stop imaging cuts implemented on 1/1/2007. ● 140 House Members co-sponsored H.R 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 ● 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 Campaign Volunteers Campaign/PAC Contributors 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 Congress The 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: or visit the website at