VHHA Hospital Political Action Committee (HosPAC) 1
What is HosPAC? • HosPAC is the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association’s political action committee. • Political action committees solicit funds from members and other interested parties to pool resources for contributions to candidates and officials that support an organization’s legislative and policy goals. • HosPAC’s mission is: – To provide members with a means for organized and effective political action. – To support candidates who will work to improve quality health care supported by the Virginia hospital and health system community. – To promote efficient and responsible government. 2
2015 & 2016 Legislative Issues • Certificate of Public Need (COPN) • Provider Assessment • Medicaid Expansion • Budget • Worker’s Compensation • Behavioral Health 3
HosPAC Governance • HosPAC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of government relations and other personnel from VHHA members. • Jim Dunn, Vice President of Advocacy and Community Affairs with Bon Secours, serves as HosPAC Chairman. • The Budget Committee, designated by the HosPAC Chairman, makes recommendations to the full board for approval on contributions to candidates and fundraising goals. • Criteria used in determining contributions include: – Historic support for hospitals and health systems – Recent votes on legislation impacting hospitals and health systems – Leadership positions, committee chairmanships, and seniority within party caucuses – Competitiveness of election/district – Encouraging future hospital advocates and supporters 4
2015 HosPAC Campaign • HosPAC recently kicked off its 2015 fundraising campaign • Steve Arner, Senior VP and COO of Carilion Clinic, has been designated by the VHHA Board as Chairman of the fundraising campaign • HosPAC has established an annual goal of $402,500 • This year’s goal is especially crucial because all 140 House and Senate seats are up for election this November • Meeting this goal will enable HosPAC to support long-standing advocates of issues important to hospitals and health systems, while cultivating new relationships with potential advocates • [Insert health system name] target of [insert system goal] is critical to achieving our overall HosPAC goal 5
Running a Successful HosPAC Campaign • First, hospitals and health systems must determine who will run their HosPAC campaign. • Next, it is IMPERATIVE to have buy in from senior leadership…i.e. it’s easier to raise money when the CEO/facility leader has pledged. • Each system must decide for itself how to approach their campaign, but fundraising should start with: – CEO/senior level management – Facility leaders – Trustees – Directors/department heads – For-profit contractors such as vendors, radiologists or anesthesiologists 6
Guidelines for Soliciting Contributions • All contributions must be voluntary without threats, job discrimination or other reprisals. • Only contributions from individuals and for-profit entities are allowed. • Contributors must be informed of the political purpose of HosPAC. • Funds may not be contributed through payroll deduction. • HosPAC contributions are not tax deductible. • 501(c)(3) resources may not be used for or on behalf of HosPAC, and leaders must be clear that they are soliciting funds in a personal capacity. 7
501(c)(3) “Do’s” of HosPAC • Begin your campaign early…educate hospital staff and potential contributors about importance of HosPAC. • Ensure the AHA Prior Authorization form is completed and returned. • Ensure all solicited staff understands that contributions are voluntary , there are no reprisals for not participating, contributions are not tax deductible and they must be done online with a personal credit card or via personal check. • Make contacts during non-business hours via personal e-mail or phone. • Verify that all contributions are made by individuals and they provide contact information. • Encourage senior leaders to participate in HosPAC golf tournaments and, fundraisers- encourage vendors to sponsor these events. 8
501(c)(3) “Don’ts” of HosPAC • Don’t use hospital time, facilities or other resources to solicit contributions… HosPAC will provide letterhead, envelopes and postage. • Don’t send a check from a non-profit hospital system to HosPAC. • Don’t deduct contributions from your taxes. • Don’t make contributions to HosPAC part of employment or suggest that contributions are tied to performance evaluations, etc. • Don’t make HosPAC solicitations an agenda item for official staff meetings. • Don’t promote HosPAC through official hospital communications or publications. 9
How VHHA Members Solicit Contributions • Start at the top…CEO/facility leader must “buy in”. • Set realistic goals based upon individuals position level within the organization. • Letter from CEO (on HosPAC letterhead) to senior leadership, directors, department heads, etc. • Personal notes to past contributors encouraging their continued support. • Weekly status reports and follow-up until system goal is met. 10
American Hospital Association Political Action Committee (AHA PAC) • While the primary purpose of HosPAC is to support state candidates, a portion of AHA eligible contributions will be sent to AHA to support congressional candidates. • AHA eligible contributions are those contributions from systems who are AHA members, have signed the AHA Prior Authorization form and where the individual has not selected to opt out of contributing to AHA. • To be eligible, a contribution must exceed $299 and be an AHA eligible contributor by signing the AHA Prior Authorization Form. • For 2015 contributions between $300-$499, HosPAC will send $150 to AHA, for contributions between $500-$1,499, HosPAC will send $350 to AHA, and for contributions of $1,500+, HosPAC will send $500 to AHA. 11
How to Contribute to HosPAC You can make a secure online payment via personal credit card: https://www.epacmanager.com/pass_sol/sol_vahosp/frmmain.aspx 12
How to Contribute to HosPAC Download and fill out a HosPAC Contribution Form, send a personal check made payable to: HosPAC P.O. Box 31394 Richmond, VA 23294 13
Need More Information? Contact: Jennifer Rankin-Walker, Director HosPAC jwalker@vhha.com / (804) 965-1219 or Matt Strader, Director Outreach & Coalitions mstrader@vhha.co m / (804) 965-1221 Thank you for supporting HosPAC. 14
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