American Society of Anesthesiologists

Political Action Committee(ASAPAC)

Resident Recruitment

Overview of ASAPAC

Bi-partisan, non-ideological political voice of the ASA that was founded in 1991 to advocate political issues on behalf of ALL anesthesiologists.

We are not RED, we are not BLUE, we are just working for you.

What is ASAPAC?

• Political arm of the American Society of Anesthesiologists

• Important tool in ASA’s lobbying efforts • Allows anesthesiologists to participate in politics• Separate segregated fund of the ASA• Regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC)• Supports candidates in Federal races, some state

races

What is ASAPAC?

• 50,000 members/38,000 solicitable members*• PAC founded in 1991• Oversight by 14 Member PAC Board• Run on Fiscal Year 10/1-9/30

* Can only solicit American citizens and green card holders.

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$200,000.00

$400,000.00

$600,000.00

$800,000.00

$1,000,000.00

$1,200,000.00

$1,400,000.00

$1,600,000.00

$1,800,000.00

$2,000,000.00

$2,200,000.00

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ASAPAC 10 Year Fundraising History

What is ASAPAC?

• Donor Levels– $1000+ Chairman’s Council– $500-$900 Circle of Distinction– $1-$499 Regular Donor– $20 Resident Donors

ASAPAC in Operation

• $3.5 million+ per election cycle fund• FY 2014 Total: $1,934,222 • A force to be reckoned with in Washington

• Membership directed• 7,000+ donors per year• Largest Physician PAC• Top 100 PAC nationally

ASAPAC in Action

• PAC Board meets at the start of the election cycle

• Board meets quarterly• Reviews recommendations from ASAPAC

donors• Washington, DC fundraisers• Local fundraisers and check presentations

(over 350 in 2014 cycle)

How the money is spent

• 2011-2012 Election Cycle– Raised: $3.5M (donors - 2011: 6,781/2012: 7,387)– Spent: $3M– Breakdown of Spending: 60.5% R – 39.5% D– Number of Races: 222 Total – 201 House, 19 Senate, 2 State

• 2013-2014 Election Cycle – Raised: $3.9M (2013: 7,659/2014: 7,867 donors)– Spent: $3.8M– Breakdown of Spending: 59% R – 41% D– Number of Races: 238 Total - 213 House, 19 Senate, 6 State

2010 Elections: ASAPAC Best Win %

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ANESTHESIOLOGISTS UP "The two groups with the best winning percentages in the analysis - the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Society of Anesthesiologists - backed more Republicans than Democrats and took a chance on some GOP challengers. By contrast, the American Hospital Association PAC, which heavily supported Democratic incumbents, wound up with a 40% success rate.”

Future Generation: Residents

Accountability at the State Level

ASAPACRepresentative

Resident

Resident

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ResidentASAPACResident

Representative

Anesthesiology’s Political Activity• Political action is no longer a luxury – A necessity for our specialty

• Political activity allows us to:– Elect supporters of our specialty– Participate in the legislative process– Raise the visibility of anesthesiology

• ASAPAC is our specialty’s only formal vehicle for political involvement

Politics Help Shape Public Policy…• Who gets elected

• Who is most effective in Washington

• Who has political visibility

…and Public Policy Affects Our Priorities• VHA nursing handbook• Medicare annual updates – SGR• Rural pass-through• Independent Payment Advisory Board

(IPAB) repeal• Drug shortages• Truth and transparency • Graduate Medical Education• EHR and meaningful use• And much, much more…

Example Issues• VHA nursing handbook – The VA has proposed a policy that will

remove Physician Anesthesiologists’ oversight of Nurse Anesthetists for anesthesia care within the VA.

– At present, the AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists) and other Advanced Practice Nursing Organizations have lobbied in favor of this change.

– The ASA has aggressively countered this insisting that it makes anesthesia less safe for our veterans.

– We need your help and voice to continue this legislative battle…

Example Issues

• Rural Pass-Through– Under the Centers for Medicare and

Medicaid Services (CMS) current interpretation of the statute creating the “pass-through” program, eligible rural hospitals are not permitted to use the “pass-through” funds to employ or contract with physician anesthesiologists.

– The ASA, supported by ASAPAC is working to change this and need your help…

Example Issues

• Truth and Transparency – Patients lack information about the wide

variety of individuals who work in health care settings. They are confused by the increasing ambiguity of health care provider-related advertising, marketing, and degree titles.

– A recent survey found that 44 percent of patients find it difficult to identify who is a licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) or other provider.

– The ASA, supported by ASAPAC is working to change this and we need your help…

For more information…

• The aforementioned issues are just the beginning…

• To learn more, please visit:– http://www.asahq.org/advocacy/federal-a

ctivities

They Don’t Share Our Views…

AANA Newspaper Advertisement

What’s next for you?

• Join ASAPAC!– Visit the “Advocacy” section of the ASA website– Or call (202) 289-2222

• Stay informed– Follow key developments via the ASA Newsletter and web

site

• Stay in touch– As we seek to identify key lawmakers, let us know if

you’ve got a strong candidate for our specialty

• Get involved locally! – Attend a fundraiser, deliver an ASAPAC contribution, and

meet withyour lawmakers!

Noteworthy quotes:

“The more anesthesiologists take part in government, the less government will takea part of anesthesiologists.”

Unknown“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead

Top 10 reasons to support ASAPAC…

1. Responsibility to the specialty2. Gives something back to

anesthesiology3. Gives resources to help elect

supporters of our specialty4. Allows anesthesiologists to

participate in the legislative process5. Expands the political influence of the

specialty of anesthesiology

…Top 10 reasons to support ASAPAC

6. It only takes 30 seconds to make your working voice heard in Washington!

7. Form of economic insurance—with low premiums

8. Be a productive/contributing part of the process

9. Nearly every aspect of our work is influenced by policy and regulations

10.If you don’t, who will?

For more information:

• Michelle Mathy in the ASA Washington Office, (202) 289-2222

m.mathy@asahq.org• Mark Bicket at

mark.bicket@gmail.com or any member of the Executive Board

• ASAPAC at www.asahq.org/asapac