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?
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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?
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•
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?
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•
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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:
•
•
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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?
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•
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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?
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•
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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:
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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: milligans@ada.org
Ross Isbell, ADPAC Student Director
– isbellg@uab.edu
Dr. Loren Feldner, ADPAC Co-Chair
– ljfeldnerdds@pol.net
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.