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ACC PAC

March 2009

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Advancing Quality Cardiovascular

Care through…

ScienceEducation

Advocacy

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The Path to PowerCardiologists must work together to fulfill the advocacy component

of ACC’s mission:

•Combining voices to impact the political process

•Combining resources to send a powerful message to Congress

•Combining power to preserve healthcare

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ACC PACMission

• Contribute to the campaigns of those Members of Congress who support the College’s legislative agenda

• Gain BETTER access to high profile legislators, especially committee chairs and leadership

• Build grassroots and fundraising potential to bring about election results favorable to our advocacy goals

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ACC PAC Criteria for Political Contributions

The PAC Board considers the following criteriain determining political disbursements:1. Leadership position2. Committee assignment 3. Past voting record on OUR issues4. Medical profession: MD, DO, etc.5. Personal relationship with ACC member6. Likelihood to win – polls, district

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ACC PAC : Disbursements to Candidates in

the 2006 Election Cycle

(2005 and 2006)• Contributions made to 120

candidates, leadership PACs and party committees

• Total of $441,100 disbursed• 74% given to Republicans• 26% given to Democrats

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ACC PAC: Disbursements to Candidates in

the 2008 Election Cycle

(2007 and 2008)• Contributions made to over 250

candidates, leadership PACs and party committees

• Total of $997,289 disbursed• 56% given to Democrats• 44% given to Republicans• Our influence is growing, but our

competitors are still giving more

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Why Contribute to ACC PAC?

• 100% of your personal contributions are used to support the election of pro-physician candidates to Congress

• Currently, only 7% of our members contribute to ACC PAC

• Other specialty groups have better-funded PACs, giving them an advantage at the decision making table: more funds = greater access

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Where do we stand?

PAC Receipts2008 Cycle

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Service Employees International Union $45,350,942

American Association for Justice (trial lawyers)

$6,265,740

American Hospital Association $3,596,575American Medical Association $3,263,871

American Society of Anesthesiologists $3,120,319

American Dental Association $2,453,054

American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons $2,372,846

American College of Radiology $1,702,359

American Academy of Ophthalmology $1,697,897

American College of Emergency Physicians $1,683,776

Wellpoint, Inc. $1,363,273College of American Pathologists $1,076,533

American College of Surgeons Professional Association $1,064,574

UnitedHealth Group $1,047,082American Academy of Family Physicians $788,710

American College of Cardiology $786,074

America’s Health Insurance Plans $550,410American Psychiatric Association $540,532

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology $522,786

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Giving to ACC PAC• Only U.S. members can donate to the PAC • Need personal funds, not corporate- only

personal contributions can be used for political giving

• ACC PAC can solicit from over 25,000 Members

– In 2005, ACC PAC raised $625,726• 1,541 Contributors

– In 2006, ACC PAC raised $522,628• 1,200 Contributors

– In 2007, ACC PAC raised $607,135• 1,731 Contributors

– In 2008, ACC PAC raised $646,602• 1,862 Contributors

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ACC PAC: Financial Overview

2008 Election Cycle:• $1,253,737 raised in 2007 and 2008

(includes both “hard” and “soft” receipts)

• 2,707 individuals contributed• Average per contributor = $463

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ACC PAC Goals: 2009

• $1000 from 1000 Campaign • 100% BOT Participation• 100% BOG Participation• Improve hard dollar ratio

(36% of 2008 contributions were soft dollars)

• Increase number of contributors(1,862 in 2008)

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ACC PAC 2009:BOT & BOG Giving

• 95 members total • 36 have given in 2009• 38% participation• 30 have joined $1000 from 1000

Campaign

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ACC PAC 2009:PAC Board Giving

• 14 members total (2 more to be added)• 10 have given in 2009• 71% participation• 10 have joined $1000 from 1000

Campaign• 3 max donors (Alexander, Walpole, Sherman)

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For more information…

Please visit:

www.accpacweb.org

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For more information…

Or contact:Nick Morse

Associate Director, Political & Legislative Affairs

nmorse@acc.org202-375-6372