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American College of Cardiology

Political Action Committee

ACC PACwww.accpacweb.org

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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 develop relationships with 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 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

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ACC PAC: Disbursements to Candidates in

the 2010 Election Cycle

(2009 and so far in 2010)• Contributions made to over 210

candidates, leadership PACs and party committees so far

• Total of $612,000 disbursed so far• 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 each year

• 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 contribute 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

2010 Election Cycle (so far):• $1,007,904 raised in 2009 and so far in

2010(includes both “hard” and “soft” receipts)

• 2,185 individuals have contributed• Average per contributor = $461

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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