AMPAC: A voice for America's patients and physicians

AMA Leader Commentary. By Edward L. Langston, MD, Feb. 4, 2008.

AMA LEADER COMMENTARY

A few words about current events in medical practice

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A message to all physicians from Edward L. Langston, MD, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees.

We live in a political environment that impacts and frequently shapes health care discussions and issues. Have you noticed? Whether we as physicians like it or not, many health care system and medical care options are decided in legislative hallways and administrative offices.

As advocates for our patients, we have at least two options: Either get involved personally or support those who represent your patients and you, or leave it to the politicians and bureaucratic administrators to make critical decisions without your input and influence.

I advocate getting involved. Many physicians do not want to walk the hallways in the state and federal government buildings talking to legislators about health care issues. Most do not know how or have the time to interface with administrators. If this identifies you, let me share with you some options to consider.

Join your AMA and other medical associations that are geared to address these two issues as well as other options in sharing your viewpoints and perspectives along with your patients' concerns and fears. For those of us who have chosen to be active within the American Medical Association, we need your support and voice. Your state and specialty societies also need your support. It is not one choice only, a wide cacophony of voices is needed. We need you! Your patients need your involvement!

I want to introduce to you an important organization connected to the AMA: AMPAC, the American Medical Association Political Action Committee. AMPAC was established in 1961 to provide a mechanism for AMA, state and county medical society members to use the "PAC" model in support of legislators who support your perspectives and your patients' perspectives during the election process.

AMPAC has been a powerful and respected force for medicine in Washington, D.C. The AMPAC board is composed of appointed AMA delegates and alternate delegates from throughout the United States. The board members are nominated by your state medical societies and appointed by the Board of Trustees of the AMA.

Without AMPAC's voice, our patients and America's physicians would find themselves less represented at crucial times when decisions are made that significantly impact both. It is well understood that a strong AMPAC requires significant revenues to have an impact during important election campaigns. We must support those senators and representatives in Congress who have been supportive of issues important to patients and physicians.

In 2007, AMPAC underwent a thorough internal review of operations and policies that included evaluation of messaging strategy, donor levels and benefits, communication and promotions strategy, and leadership and governance issues, along with contribution and distribution strategy.

This effort was the result of Resolution 604 at AMA's 2007 Interim Meeting that requested an evaluation and subsequent action to enhance the impact of AMPAC. Based upon an appointed work group's recommendations, the Board of Trustees of the AMA approved 21 opportunities for improvement.

The major recommendations were:

1. Communicate with donors for more feedback and input.

2. Increase the type and number of communication tools (paper, IT, etc.).

3. Increase the number of fundraising events in Washington, D.C., and other venues.

4. Continue to work with states in fundraising and distribution efforts.

5. Raise the annual dues from $50 to $100.

6. Create a variety of donor levels and benefits unique to each level.

7. Develop an organizational culture of giving, beginning with AMPAC and AMA leadership.

8. Reinvigorate and educate AMPAC board members in governance, fundraising and communications skills.

So what happened?

At the 2007 Interim Meeting, more than $175,000 was raised for AMPAC activities in 2008.

An energy and an excitement within and for AMPAC was generated that will continue into 2008. New donor levels were developed, embraced and supported with donations from the House of Delegates and 100% support by the Board of Trustees and the AMPAC Board.

The AMA and your patients need AMPAC to be successful. Receive more information about AMPAC online http:www.ampaconline.org/. 2008 is a critical year, as major decisions will be made in the fall elections. The elected senators and representatives will then make major decisions in 2009 that will shape health care for the next generation.

Your involvement is critical.

Now is the time!

Think about it.

Dr. Langston , a family physician from Lafayette, Ind., was chair of the AMA Board of Trustees during 2007-08. Learn more about Dr. Langston at the AMA's bio page.

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