Why Should You Support RADPAC?
MESSAGE FROM THE VICE CHAIRMAN, ACRa
Last year, the American College of Radiology, a 501(c)(3) organization, transitioned its advocacy activities to a 501(c)(6) organization, the American College of Radiology Association (ACRa). The ACRa now handles government relations and economics activities while other College activities remain with the ACR. As of July 1, 2003, all members of the ACR automatically became members of the ACRa. Members pay their dues to the ACRa, which then transfers all necessary operating funds to the ACR. This was done to implement the ACR Council's directive to increase radiology's advocacy activities on the legislative, political and regulatory fronts without violating the legal limitations on lobbying by the College, a 501(c)(3) organization.
The new ACRa enables radiology's involvement in more advocacy activities and allows all members to contribute to radiology's political action committee, RADPAC. RADPAC gives radiology the means to provide financial support to congressional candidates who understand our concerns and will advance and protect our profession in the legislative process. Currently the second largest medical specialty PAC and the fifth largest health professional PAC overall (see related chart on page 8), RADPAC has dramatically increased radiology's influence on Capitol Hill through direct, ongoing contact with members of Congress who vote on legislation affecting your future.
As radiologists, we are well aware of the profound impact governmental decisions have on our profession. With so much at stake for radiology and all of medicine, I believe it is critical that every member of the ACRa support RADPAC today if you have not already done so. If every member of the ACRa contributed only $100 annually, RADPAC would be the largest health care industry PAC in the country. Please note that your decision to do so is completely voluntary and no portion of your ACRa dues will be used to support political candidates.
All of us work hard to provide quality medical services and we cannot allow radiology to be a victim of the political process. RADPAC's continued growth and success is dependent upon your financial support. By supporting RADPAC, you become an active advocate for your patients, yourself and your profession. I thank you in advance for your consideration and support in ensuring that radiology continues to have a strong voice in the political process.
You can support radiology's PAC by submitting a personal check or personal credit card authorization along with the RADPAC contribution form on page 12. RADPAC is prohibited by law from accepting corporate dollars. Your practice can also establish a nonrepayable corporate drawing account into which individual members of the practice can authorize deposit of personal funds designated for RADPAC on a periodic basis. These funds would then be forwarded directly into RADPAC's bank account via wire transfer along with the names of the individual members and individual contribution totals. If you would like instructions for setting up this drawing account, please contact Heather Kaiser of the ACRa government relations staff at (888) 295-8843. Your participation in RADPAC is completely voluntary, and you have the right to refuse to contribute without fear of reprisal.
James P. Borgstede, MD
Chairman, RADPAC
Vice Chairman, American College of Radiology Association