AAOS Orthopaedic PAC The Orthopaedic PAC is the only national political action committee representing the interests of orthopaedic surgeons before Congress. It is your sole voice on Capitol Hill!
The Orthopaedic PAC • AAOS Orthopaedic PAC is the only national political action committee in Washington, DC representing orthopaedic surgeons before Congress • Formed in 1999 to help advance the legislative agenda of the AAOS and subspecialty groups • Today, it is among the largest association PACs in the United States and is the largest physician PAC (larger than the AMA) in the country.
Two Arms of the AAOS • Academy is the educational arm founded in 1933 • Association is the advocacy arm founded in 1997
The Orthopaedic PAC • The PAC is issue- oriented —non partisan • The PAC is the vehicle that opens political doors …allows the AAOS a seat at the table!
The Orthopaedic PAC Current issues at stake: • Antitrust Reform • MACRA and payment reform • Medical Liability • Development of quality metrics • Physician ownership
What Do Physicians Have to Offer? • Credibility • Experience • No one understands your business & patient needs better than you! Members of the Nevada orthopaedic delegation with U.S. Senator Dean Heller
Famous Excuses for Not Getting Involved • Politics are dirty • Contributions are bribery • Only big industry/corporations have influence • Politicians should do the ‘right thing’ without influence • “ I don’t have much to give, so it won’t make a difference… ”
Why is Advocacy Important? • Current conditions demand that the AAOS take an active role in advocacy. • Dialogue with Congress and federal regulators ensures that issues affecting orthopaedic surgeons and their patients are heard. • Constant communication from AAOS fellows and staff ensures that orthopaedic surgeons have a seat at the policy table.
AAOS Advocacy Patients Identify key issues Key Elected AAOS Fellows Officials Target key and Residents (Federal) decision-makers Grassroots outreach to targeted decision-makers Key Elected State Officials Orthopaedic (State) Associations
How Does Advocacy Work? Get politicians to listen to orthopaedic concerns by… Getting access to the legislators who make the laws and policies that affect the orthopaedic profession by. Helping elect candidate who understand the issues orthopaedic surgeons face by. Supporting favorable candidate and educating/building relationships with them EARLY! The best time to build relationships with legislators is when they need more from you (votes & money) than you from them.
How to Become Involved • Political involvement, or political advocacy, covers a wide range of activities. • You can give… Your TIME Your MONEY Or BOTH!
Orthopaedic PAC 2017 YE: Good News Raised $1.9 million OUR ORTHOPAEDIC PAC 11% increase, about $200,000 higher than our last off year Invested $1.2 million to candidates Best off year and best soft year in our history
Orthopaedic PAC 2017 YE: Good News
Influence Comparison… 1. National Association of Realtors 2. American Association for Justice 3. National Beer Wholesalers Assoc 4. Natl Rural Electric Cooperative Assoc 5. American Bankers Association 6. Natl Cable & Telecommunications Assoc 7. Nationall Multifamily Housing Council 8. National Automotive Dealers Assoc 9. National Air Traffic Controllers Assoc 10. Am. Assoc of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Benefits of Involvement • Leadership • Networking • Personal & professional growth • Non-orthopaedic lessons that are vital to long-term success of our profession • Remember – this is your future
Why We Need Resident Involvement • Residents are the future of the orthopaedic profession • Ever-changing field • Residents offer new perspectives • Others see your effort and want to be involved themselves
Residency Involvement Orthopaedic Residency Programs with 100% PAC Participation in 2017: • Atlanta Medical Center • New York University • University of Connecticut • University of Kentucky • University of Maryland • Universidad de Puerto Rico
We Need You! • In 2017, 281 orthopaedic surgery residents from 59 different residency programs contributed to the PAC • This is a large jump from 2014, when only 106 residents gave to the Orthopaedic PAC from only 17 residency programs
We Need You! • But, we still have a ways to go. Our 2017 resident participation in the Orthopaedic PAC was 5% • 27% of anesthesiology residents involved in their Political Action Committee, 94% of Lawyers • Involvement in the Orthopaedic PAC starts with a nominal contribution of $10. That’s 3 cups of coffee!
Getting Involved In Advocacy: Political Pyramid 500 volunteer .1% volunteer 5000 contribute 180,000 vote 1% donate money 390,000 registered 50% actually vote 520,000 eligible 650,000 pop. 60% register to vote 20% do not register to vote 20% not eligible to vote
Getting Involved In Advocacy: Political Pyramid Just by voting, you exert more influence than 70% of the population. By volunteering your time or money you exert more influence than 99% of the population. This effort gets noted
Future’s Capitol Club The Capitol Club is the Orthopaedic PAC’s premier donor level for PAC members who give $1,000 or more a year to the PAC. We know $1,000 is difficult to swing for residents, so we created the Future’s Capitol Club, which includes all the same perks, but is more attainable for residents. How to join: • Contribute $100 or more during the calendar year to the Orthopaedic PAC • Contribute any amount for 4 years in a row • Contribute $25 and give a grand rounds on the Orthopaedic PAC
Future’s Capitol Club Benefits Include: • Invitations to exclusive Capitol Club events during AAOS meetings such as luncheons, congressional receptions, etc. • Recognition in all online and printed reports, including PAC Annual Report and AAOS website • Opportunities to attend local congressional fundraising trips and events • Opportunities to deliver PAC checks locally to candidates and officeholders • Lapel pin with Capitol Club recognition
Challenge • Become involved in the AAOS or your local state society and contribute to the Orthopaedic PAC! • Text aaos to 41444 or visit www.aaos.org/pac to donate today
Challenge • The health care policies that are set today will determine our ability to care for patients tomorrow • After becoming active yourself, please ask 2 of your colleagues to do the same • Please email pac@aaos.org with any questions
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