State Lobby Day Workshop and Advocacy Update Dr. Loren Feldner, ADPAC co-chair
Welcome and Introductions
What is a PAC? A political committee organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect candidates. Most PACs represent business, labor or ideological interests.
How much money is involved in an average election? US House of Representatives: – Raise an average of 2-4 million dollars – Elected every 2 years
US Senate: – Raise an average of 3-15 million dollars – Elected every 6 years
Contributions Hard Dollars: Contributions from personal individual funds. These dollars are used solely to make direct contributions to federal candidates election campaigns. Soft Dollars: Donations that are from a corporation, not a personal account. CANNOT be used to directly fund a federal election. – Historically, very limited use, but this changed in 2010 with the Citizens United court ruling.
Why Have a PAC? •
•
Public policy has an enormous effect on all of you and your future There around thousands of other Federal PACs (4000+) lobbying for their own concerns
What is ADPAC? •
•
•
American Dental Association’s Political Action Committee ADPAC allows you to combine resources with other dentists and dental students to make a huge impact for our profession ADPAC supports federal candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate who support dentistry
Why is ADPAC Important? • • • •
Non-partisan voice of thousands of dentists Effects public policy Upcoming elections Current industry-wide uncertainty
The REAL Question Is…Why Should YOU Care? The upcoming elections will determine policy decisions affecting all of us As you prepare to enter the dental profession, legislation affecting health care and business will be important ADPAC is your means to join your colleagues and create a real impact on the issues most important to: – You – Your patients – Your practice
Legislation can affect: • • • •
Where we will practice Who will compensate us What materials we will use How we will practice
• ADPAC is the best investment we can make in ourselves and our future
“Our political involvement is as critical as any continuing education we might take” -- Dr. Jeff Parrish, former ADPAC Board Chair
What are the Benefits of Participating? •
• • •
Supporting growth and advancement of your practice and patients Pooling resources for greater impact Ensuring a successful future for dentistry Increasing the strength of commitment to improving oral health care in the U.S.
Who is Eligible to Participate? • • •
Members of the ADA U.S. dental students who are U.S. Citizens or permanent Green Card holders Spouses and families
ADPAC Receipts Total ADPAC Receipts 2001 - 2011 $2,500,000.00 $2,000,000.00 $1,500,000.00 $1,000,000.00 $500,000.00 $0.00 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012 YTD
ADPAC Contributions ADPAC contributions are based on three factors: • Recommendations from local dentists; • Congressional voting records and analysis of incumbent U.S. senators and U.S. congressmen; and • Campaign intelligence reports provided by the Association’s political and legislative staff.
Support is strictly non-partisan.
ADPAC Disbursements Total ADPAC Disbursements 2001-2011 $1,600,000.00 $1,400,000.00 $1,200,000.00 $1,000,000.00 $800,000.00 $600,000.00 $400,000.00 $200,000.00 $0.00 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012 YTD
ADPAC Supported Initiatives: • • • • • •
Sponsors CapWiz Grassroots Program Hosts State PAC Conference Sponsors Dentists and Dental Students in Campaign School Conducts Washington Leadership Conference Supports Dentist Members of Congress & DentalFriendly Lawmakers Sponsors ASDA Events like NLC, Lobby Day, and Annual Session
What ADPAC done for you lately? • Exemption from Red Flag Rule: ADPAC helped pass
legislation that exempted small businesses, including dentists, from a burdensome and expensive governmentmandated identity theft prevention program. • Supported legislation to lower credit swipe fees: ADPAC supported a U.S. Senate amendment that reduced credit card swipe fees. This legislation allows dentists to provide their patients the convenience of using credit cards without the burden of increased swipe fees.
What ADPAC done for you lately? • Exemption from 1099 Reporting: ADPAC helped exempt
dentists from expanded 1099 tax reporting requirements that were included in the recent healthcare bill. This regulation would have swamped dentists under a pile of unnecessary tax-related paperwork. ACTUAL SAVINGS: $600-$1,500/year. • Blocked proposed tax on cosmetic procedures: ADPAC joined the effort during the healthcare debate to block a proposed tax that would have been levied on any patient that received cosmetic procedures in your office.
What ADPAC done for you lately? • Blocked funding for mid-level provider demonstration projects elucidated in the Affordable Care Act, thereby preventing their implementation. • Blocked passage of the 2.3% Medical Device Tax added to all devices, including dental products from fillings to crowns, that was part of the Affordable Care Act.
Program
Annual Savings
Exemption from Red Flags Rule
$1600
Exemption From Onerous 1099 Reporting
$600
Favorable 179 Expensing
variable
No Taxes on Cosmetic Services
$500
No Additional Taxes on S Corporation
variable
No Excessive Credit Card Transaction Fees
$200
No Federal Mandate to Provide Health Care Insurance for Employees
Thousands of $$$
No Caps on Fees for Non-Covered Services
$2500
TOTAL SAVINGS
$5400++
What happens without Advocacy? Specific provisions relating to dental students: • Graduate student interest subsidized loans of up to $8,500 eliminated as of July 1, 2012
2012-13 ASDA Board of Trustees All Contribute to ADPAC at Capitol Club Level
ASDA Membership in ADPAC 13.02% Total Student population – 21,206 ASDA Members – 18,588
Non-ADPAC Members ADPAC Members
Opportunities for Dental Students SEEK and ACCEPT leadership positions in ASDA at the Local, State, and ADA levels. Promote ADPAC membership, YOUR $5.00/$50.00 contributions MAKE A DIFFERENCE!! ORGANIZE LUNCH AND LEARNS at your dental schools - Involve local dentists. - Invite elected officials. LOBBY DAYS at your State Capitols and in D.C. Washington Leadership Conference INTERNSHIPS – ASDA Legislative Internships at ADA DC/Chicago. Participate in CAPWIZ ACTION ALERTS Attend ADPAC CAMPAIGN SCHOOL Get to know elected representatives at the local, state, national levels.
Join ADPAC Today! Visit adpac.ada.org: – Complete your enrollment online, or – Access a printable contribution form. Return completed materials to: – ADPAC – 1111 14th Street, N.W., Suite 1100 – Washington, D.C. 20005
Use your ADA Number to login
Questions? Sarah Milligan, ADPAC Director: – Phone: (202) 789-5171 – Email:
[email protected] Ross Isbell, ADPAC Student Director –
[email protected] Dr. Loren Feldner, ADPAC Co-Chair –
[email protected]
Visit our website: – adpac.ada.org
Thank you!
Disclaimer Federal law requires that we request the name, occupation and employer of each person who contributes in excess of $200 in a calendar year. Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. ADPAC is a federal committee and contributions to it are voluntary and will be used to support federal candidates and committees. Contribution guidelines are merely a suggestion and you may contribute more or less or refuse to contribute without concern of any reprisals and you will not be favored or disadvantaged based upon your decision.
