GOP fund-raising strategy targets physicians

Republican campaign committee invites doctors to join its "Physician's Advisory Board" as a hook for soliciting contributions.

By Amy Snow Landa, AMNews staff. July 30, 2001.

Washington -- Julie Isaacson, MD, was surprised and flattered when she received a phone call inviting her to join a select panel of doctors who advise congressional Republicans on health care issues.

The "Physician's Advisory Board" counsels GOP leaders on such topics as HMO reform and reducing government interference in medicine, explained the caller, who said he was a representative of House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R, Texas).

Dr. Isaacson was intrigued by the opportunity to have her views heard. "I thought, why not? I have a lot of input." So the Newburg, Ore., orthopedic surgeon agreed to join the board, thinking that, as a Democrat, she might be able to "balance" the views of other members.

But after saying she would join the panel, Dr. Isaacson was promptly asked for a $500 donation, which came as a surprise.

Thousands of physicians like Dr. Isaacson have been invited to join the board, only to find they are the targets of a fund-raising solicitation by the National Republican Congressional Committee, which raises money for House GOP campaigns.

While some doctors say they sensed the fund-raising aspect of the call immediately and were happy to contribute, others did not and felt misled.

Dr. Isaacson, although hesitant, agreed to contribute $100 to what seemed like a worthwhile project. It wasn't until she received follow-up materials in the mail that she realized her donation would be used to help fund Republican congressional campaigns. Instead of mailing a check to the NRCC, she sent a scathing letter to DeLay in which she said she "consider[ed] the whole business misleading and unethical." [...]