GO Time 2010 American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee Chair & Region IV Representative Amy Jo Lamb, OTD, OTR/L AOTA 90 th Annual Conference and Exposition Orlando, FL ASD Annual Meeting April 28-May 2, 2010

Every new day begins with possibilities. It’s up to us to fill it with the things that move us toward peace and progress. ~ Ronald Regan

GO Time 2010 Growth and Opportunity The time for debate is over Advocacy efforts are needed to ensure we are well positioned as the regulatory process of health care reform is taking place Additional reforms are coming Informed and active professional members are key to success

GO Time Growth – –Establishing ourselves in wellness and prevention – –Demonstrating cost effectiveness Opportunity – –Increasing the visibility of occupational therapy – –Advocate for access to quality services – –To keep the momentum going

The Courage to Hold the Rope The OT Team needs your commitment Find the opportunities to do more than what is required Maintain your membership in your national and state associations Stay active and informed Once we let up we hurt the team Don’t let your team down, hold the rope

AOTPAC

What is a Political Action Committee? a group formed (as by an industry or an issue- oriented organization) to raise and contribute money to the campaigns of candidates likely to advance the group's interests

How does AOTPAC differ from AOTA? Federal Affairs Department monitors the U. S. Congress and selected federal agencies.Federal Affairs Department monitors the U. S. Congress and selected federal agencies. Establishes the legislative agenda in conjunction with association leaders.Establishes the legislative agenda in conjunction with association leaders. Lobbies for and against public policy initiatives based on the association’s established legislative agenda.Lobbies for and against public policy initiatives based on the association’s established legislative agenda. The only legal means for an organization to raise and disburse funds to candidates for public officeThe only legal means for an organization to raise and disburse funds to candidates for public office Provides occupational therapy practitioners with a collective voice on health care issues before Congress.Provides occupational therapy practitioners with a collective voice on health care issues before Congress. Provides funds to support candidates who support the profession of occupational therapy and it’s policy initiatives.Provides funds to support candidates who support the profession of occupational therapy and it’s policy initiatives.

AOTPAC: A Vital Component Political action arm of AOTA that compliments AOTA’s public policy agenda & supports its lobbying efforts By law, AOTA cannot give any financial support to any candidate running for office. None of AOTA membership dues can be used to support political candidates.

How AOTPAC Stacks Up in the Tri- Alliance 2008 APTA-PAC $626,177 ASHA-PAC $132,511 AOTPAC $259, APTA-PAC $689,646 ASHA-PAC $127,500 AOTPAC $230,500

Receipts of AOTPAC and Other Health PACs 1/ /2009 PACAssociation Membership Mean Professional Salaries Receipts AOTA PAC40,000$67,920$230,587 APTA PAC74,000$74,410$689,646 ASHA PAC136,000$66,130$132,511 NASW PAC150,000$48,180$386,344 AANA PAC40,000$163,467$703,930 ACA PAC15,000$81,340$163,460 Note: Mean Salaries according to United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009)

Why Donate to AOTPAC DecisionsDecisions of Congress can and do have a direct, long-range effect on the occupational therapy profession. AOTPAC provides AOTA a key avenue for their advocacy efforts as well as assisting members in developing relationships with their elected officials. AOTPAC is an important educational tool for elected officials. When candidates and officeholders appeal for money from AOTPAC it means they want to learn about you and OT. AOTPAC makes carefully studied, well-informed decisions on which candidates and officeholders to support. You are your association, your voice is the voice that moves this association and makes it the professional voice for occupational therapy

Contribute to AOTPAC Today A Dollar A Day Campaign Contributions of every size make a difference, especially when you tell others to do the same.

AOTPAC Student Challenge

2010 Elections Elections equal opportunity All House seats and one-third of the Senate are up for re- election this year As of today, there have been over 40 announcements of retirements The Massachusetts election has inspired new candidates who jumping in to many races that were thought to be unchallengeable a few months ago.

2010 Elections, continued This means American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC) must be aggressive in helping old friends and making new ones, as there could be significant changes come November’s election day. Allow AOTPAC is our avenue to help elect candidates who understand and support our legislative goals

2010 Elections Why are they important to me? They allow you to really impact the process by showing your support for those that have or will support our profession More and more health care decisions on issues important to OT are being made in Washington – this is the best way to make a difference Other competing interests are aggressively voicing their opinions and reaching into their pockets to help their candidates It is much more effective to be able to talk to a friend.

GO Time in the 2010 Elections Growth – –Get involved in campaigns – –Build the relationship early Opportunity – –Vote

A little here a little there AOTA currently has approximately 40,000 members If each member contributed $10 a year, AOTPAC would have $40,000 to focus on political action and support legislation that supports occupational therapy practice and YOU!

Celebrating our Success Leadership support 2008 – –100% of Assembly of Student Delegates – –100% of Representative Assembly – –100% of AOTA Executive Board – –Increased support from other leadership groups (PD, ASAP) Leadership support 2009 – –100% of Assembly of Student Delegates – –100% of AOTA Executive Board Student challenge 2009 – –13 schools participated – –$4,461 KOTA raised over $6,000 at their 2008 & 2009 annual conference Program Directors raised over $10,000 at the 2009 annual meeting in Baltimore

AOTPAC 2008 Scorecard Supported 126 U.S. Senate and House of Representative candidates in 2008 election 119 won! 94.44%

Take Action – Act NOW Get Involved! Contribute Today!

It’s GO Time Are you ready to stand up for occupational therapy and make your voice heard?