FamMedPAC Reaches New Funding-raising Heights

The AAFP's federal political action committee, FamMedPAC, has emerged as a powerful force during the current election cycle. It has raised and contributed nearly $800,000 on behalf of congressional candidates who support primary care and family medicine issues.

Via FamMedPAC contributions, the AAFP has been able to build relationships with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, giving the Academy a voice in every major health care decision made by Congress. This kind of access is increasingly important as the next Congress prepares to address health care reform and Medicare physician payment issues.

"This gives us 'face time' with our elected officials," said FamMedPAC Board Chair and AAFP Past President Michael Fleming, M.D., of Shreveport, La. "By supporting candidates, we make it easier for them to get elected, and we have become resources for them. We have lawmakers and candidates calling us now, asking, 'What do you think about this issue or that issue?'''

FamMedPAC contributes to congressional candidates -- Republicans and Democrats -- who support the ideals and aspirations of primary care and family medicine, making it a bipartisan political action committee. According to Fleming, it is the only political action committee in the country dedicated to primary care and family medicine. In this role, FamMedPAC puts a human face on the issues of family medicine, elevating the presence and prestige of the specialty on Capitol Hill, said Fleming.

AAFP President Ted Epperly, M.D., of Boise, Idaho, recently gave a FamMedPAC check to a Democratic candidate who is challenging a Republican House member in a close election in Idaho. The Republican incumbent has been dismissive of physician issues, even voting against a bill last summer to block a deep cut in Medicare physician payment rates, Epperly said. The Democratic challenger, by contrast, has been far more receptive and supportive of family medicine issues, earning the support of FamMedPAC at a "critical juncture" in the campaign, according to Epperly.

"We are helping candidates who are supportive of the AAFP, and our efforts to transform the health care system around primary care and the patient-centered medical home," Epperly explained.

The amount of money raised by FamMedPAC during the current election cycle represents an all-time high for the political action committee, a milestone that has pushed FamMedPAC closer to its goal of $1 million per election cycle.

"Our members recognize that this is important -- that in order for us to make a difference and get our issues out there, we have to be politically active," said Fleming. "It really reaffirms the fact that advocacy is our No. 1 priority."

Mark Cribben, J.D., director of FamMedPAC, is pleased with the current fund-raising efforts. But he says more needs to be done. "If every AAFP member gave just $100 per year, we would be the biggest health care PAC in the country," said Cribben.