APAPAC: Putting Your Advocacy into Action
When we hear the phrase “political action committee” or PAC, the picture that may come to mind is of lobbyists—middle-aged white men wearing expensive suits, sporting expensive haircuts, smoking cigars, taking legislators to fancy restaurants and resorts, and making deals. That's not a scene that you and I would want to support.
Well, the times have changed! Congressional ethics legislation has put a lid on excesses, and more to the point, psychiatrists have learned the importance of having an audience to educate about our profession and about mental illnesses and their treatment (see Robinowitz Urges More Activism on Advocacy, Public Education).
Contributions to PACs give psychiatrists an opportunity to meet with legislators (who are always looking for funds to support their reelection) not just to speak on the issue of the moment, but to begin or enhance an ongoing relationship in which support of important issues for our patients and our profession can be obtained and strengthened.
APA's political action committee, known as APAPAC, is the political voice of APA members, working for the election of national legislators who share mutual principles and goals with APA and who stand up for psychiatric positions during the legislative process. Our PAC also works to educate other members of Congress on why they should support these important issues. Special attention is paid to key leaders of both parties and key decision makers in both the House and Senate, especially those on committees and subcommittees with jurisdiction over health issues. APAPAC dollars are politically balanced, with Democrats receiving 60 percent of our $176,000 in the 2007-08 election cycle. Timing of contributions is coordinated with APA advocacy programs and physician-only or health-care-related events.
Our PAC hosts or co-hosts many of these activities. In addition, APA members personally present contributions to legislators from their home state or congressional district, and frequently these members—in addition to the usual APA staff contact—follow up with these legislators and their staff, often developing ongoing consultative and more proactive relationships.
APAPAC has benefited from the leadership and contributions of its Board of Directors, but also from residents and early career psychiatrists—groups that recognize the importance of actions that shape their professional future.
What are the results of these efforts?
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We have opened new relationships with members of Congress and strengthened our existing relationships with our long-time supporters on Capitol Hill. This carries a clear message that we are serious about our concerns and prepared to be a strong partner with those who support our priorities.
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We have also strengthened alliances with other medical specialties and patient-advocacy organizations, emphasizing the link between mind and body while personalizing the impact of mental illness to legislators.
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Just as this issue was going to press, the U.S. Senate approved the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007. We believe that this is the first time either chamber has approved a “stand-alone” parity bill, making the victory all the more notable. Moreover, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health approved the House version of parity legislation. The bill now goes to the full committee. The House Education and Labor Committee has already approved the bill, but a third committee has yet to take it up.
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APA is working to ensure increased funding for mental health services and research in the Department of Defense and the VA to ensure that our military personnel, veterans, and their families receive necessary care. We also are opposing efforts by the American Psychological Association to expand psychologists' scope of practice through expensive and inappropriate psychologist-prescribing programs in these systems.
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APA's efforts have supported important provisions in the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act (CHAMP), such as eliminating Medicare's discriminatory 50 percent copay for mental disorders (a huge impact on access to care); mandating that Part D drug plans cover “all or substantially all” of the medications within antipsychotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and antivirals, as well as benzodiazepines—promoting more appropriate care; reducing excess payments to insurance companies; and preventing cuts to physician fees under Medicare for the next two years. This important bill faces a tough conference between House and Senate, so we cannot lessen our efforts in its support.
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Other issues APA is addressing include health information technology legislation and the attendant need for data security and patient privacy, as well as the Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act, which promotes patient safety and informed choice and requires “doctors” to declare their degree and training.
The PAC is the lynchpin that bridges politics and policy, advocating for our patients and our profession. It cannot do so without funds. I ask you to contribute generously to put your voice in action.
More information about APAPAC is posted at<www.psych.org/members/apapac/apapac_form.cfm>.▪
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Published online: 5 October 2007
Published in print: October 5, 2007
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