RADPAC Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why is RADPAC important to the ACRa and to members like me?
A. RADPAC’s growth in size and presence is very important as Congress will address many issues affecting radiology such as mammography reimbursement; Medicare reform; patient safety; medical liability; and reauthorization of the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). It is critical for radiology as a profession to have its voice heard on Capitol Hill through a bipartisan political action committee that supports Members of Congress and candidates running for Congress who are helpful to the radiology community.
Q. How does RADPAC spend the money it receives from contributors like myself?
A. All individual contributions made by members of the ACRa to RADPAC are considered “hard dollars”. RADPAC uses these hard dollars only for the purpose of making contributions to candidates running for Federal office, to national political parties and other political action committees.
Q. How does RADPAC pay for administrative expenses such as traveling to fundraising events outside of
A. RADPAC uses a combination of general operating funds budgeted in the ACRa Government Relations department along with funds referred to as “soft money” which comes from contributions made by group practices or corporate sources.
Q. How does RADPAC decide which campaigns to contribute money to?
A. RADPAC looks at several factors before making a decision on which Federal campaigns to contribute to, including: the viability of their candidacy, the candidate’s professional background, their presence on committees of jurisdiction, their votes on various health-related legislation that impact radiology, and their level of leadership within their political party.
Q. I already make contributions to candidates for Federal office, why should I make a contribution to RADPAC?
A. RADPAC encourages members of the ACRa to get involved in campaigns, particularly when a member of the ACRa has a personal relationship with a Member of Congress or candidate for Federal office. The advantage of also contributing to RADPAC is that when RADPAC makes a contribution to a candidate’s campaign, it sends a strong, collective message that the members of the ACRa are an involved and active group who merit the candidate’s attention on issues important to healthcare and more specifically the profession of radiology.
Q. How much money can RADPAC contribute to a campaign and how does this compare to how much I personally can give to a candidate’s campaign?
A. The law allows RADPAC to contribute $5,000 to a candidate per election in an election cycle – with the primary, runoff and general elections counting as separate elections. This means that RADPAC could give as much as $15,000 per candidate if the candidate participates in a primary, runoff and general election. Individuals can give no more than $2,000 to a candidate per election.
Q. How much money can I contribute to RADPAC?
A. An individual may contribute up to $5,000 per year to a Political Action Committee (PAC) such as RADPAC. Contributions are voluntary and are not tax-deductible.
Q. How can I contribute to RADPAC?
A. An individual has several options when deciding to contribute to RADPAC. An individual could (1) write a personal check, (2) contribute with their Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express credit card (3) make an online contribution at www.radpac.org, (4) sign up for a periodic contribution from their credit card on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis or (5) use the electronic wire transfer option – this is often worked out with a group or practice’s business manager as a bank to bank transfer of funds. Contribution forms are available online or by calling 1-888-295-8843.
Q. Can our group practice make a contribution to RADPAC?
A. RADPAC can accept contributions from a group practice; however such contributions are considered to be from a corporate source and, therefore, cannot be used in contributions from RADPAC to a campaign for Federal office. RADPAC can use these funds – often referred to as “soft money” – for administrative expenses only.
Q. Can RADPAC give money to state elected officials?
A. Legally, RADPAC can technically make a contribution to a state or local candidate. However, RADPAC was formed with the intent to support candidates for Federal office. RADPAC has information on its Web site (www.radpac.org) on how chapters can form a State PAC in order to support state or local candidates.
Q. Can I request RADPAC to make a contribution to a candidate for Federal office?
A. RADPAC encourages members of the ACRa to become actively engaged in the political process and welcomes requests from members of the ACRa for RADPAC to support a particular Federal candidate. RADPAC will consider your request based on its candidate contribution guidelines described above. If RADPAC determines that it will make a contribution to a candidate’s campaign at your request, it will likely ask you to personally deliver the check to the candidate on behalf of RADPAC. RADPAC keeps a list of members of the ACRa who have personally delivered RADPAC checks to candidates under its “House & Senate Calls” fundraisers section of its Web site.
Q. What is the difference between ACR and ACRa?
A. The ACR is currently incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization. Called (c)(3)s for short, such organizations are devoted exclusively to charitable, educational or scientific endeavors. The Internal Revenue Service prohibits (c)(3)s from getting involved in political campaigns or fundraising and limits the amount of money they can spend on lobbying.
So, the College has established a nonprofit professional organization under Section 501(c)(6) of the tax code. Such (c)(6) organizations are designed to promote the interests of their members. Most professional medical organizations are (c)(6)s, for example. This (c)(6) organization, the ACR Association (ACRa) will allow radiology to significantly increase its advocacy and lobbying efforts. The ACR will continue to be a (c)(3) organization focused on its educational and quality-enhancement missions.
Q. How do I find out more information about RADPAC?
A. You can contact Ted Burnes, director of RADPAC, at (703) 648-8949 or via email at: tedb@acr.org. You can also contact Heather Kaiser at heatherk@acr.org. You could also contact Arl Van Moore, Jr., MD, Chair of RADPAC, at VanMoore@aol.com. RADPAC’s Web site, www.radpac.org, is also a good resource to learn more about the activities of RADPAC.