NYSAFP P.A.C.

NYSAFP Political Action Committee

Our 2003 Congress of Delegates approved a resolution to establish a PAC in recognition of the growing importance of advocacy in the public policy arena, to family physicians and the patients we serve. Our efforts this year to restore cuts in the Medicaid budget, to obtain medical malpractice reform, to secure public resources to reverse the growing problem of obesity among school-age children, and to preserve the Clean Indoor Air Act, will be significantly improved by our active support of NYSAFP-PAC.

Many members wonder why is it important to participate in the NYSAFP-PAC?
Numerous organizations and associations including nurses, physicians, businesses and labor unions have political action committees, which enable them to strengthen their voice in the political arena. A PAC creates access to policy makers who can make or break the political goals of an organization.

Why should you join the NYSAFP-PAC?
We operate under a simple premise—the more NYSAFP-PAC members we have, the stronger the Academy’s voice will be in the political arena.

What does NYSAFP-PAC do?
PAC contributions allow the Academy to contribute legally to political campaigns and to support candidates for public office;

NYSAFP-PAC contributes to candidates who work toward the Academy’s goals;

PAC contributions enable NYSAFP to support influential legislators while at the same time making the Academy’s political goals known;

A strong PAC earns NYSAFP respect in Albany by demonstrating a strong grassroots network, effective leadership, and a committed membership - in short, people who can positively influence public policy;

A strong PAC means a stronger Association with all members being politically active.

The reality of a PAC’s effectiveness is proven in the current political system.
All candidates need to raise a substantial amount of money to run for state office and to get re-elected. This creates an opportunity for organizations to contribute to candidates and in doing so gain access to make their voices and political goals heard.

NYSAFP Political Action - Support Your Academy's Public Policy Efforts

Contribution Form - Click Here (.doc)

NYSAFP Political Action - Support Your Academy's Public Policy Efforts
NYSAFP PAC NEWS Quarterly Update By Weingarten, Reid & McNally, 9/20/07

"You have to be big to get the costs down," said Greenfield's Dr. Stephen Offord, of the Academy of Family Physicians. "Half of all bankruptcies in the U.S. have to do with unpaid medical bills."

-The Saratogian 9/5/07 "Answers Sought for Healthcare Shortfalls" Stephen Offord, of the Academy of Family Physicians, suggested the state establish a "public health panel" to make decisions insurance companies now make about whether patients should undergo certain tests or medical procedures. It would be more efficient if doctors only had one place to call, he said.

-Glens Falls Post Star 9/5/07 "Many Voices Heard at Health Insurance Forum" Statewide Hearings on Universal Healthcare

The above quotes in the Saratoga and Glens Falls papers were from statements made by NYSAFP member Dr. Stephen Offord during his September 5th, 2007 testimony at the first of six hearings being conducted by the State Health and Insurance Departments throughout the state on Governor Spitzer's "Partnership for Coverage" initiative to ensure access to quality affordable healthcare for all New Yorkers.

In addition to Dr. Offord, those testifying at the early-September hearing in Glens Falls included NYS DOH Commissioner Daines, NYS Insurance Department Superintendent Dinallo, the Governor's Deputy Secretary for Health Joe Baker, legislative leaders, policy experts, business leaders, patient advocacy groups, physicians, hospitals and insurance providers from across New York.

Members of the Academy will be testifying at all six hearings from Buffalo to Long Island and culminating in December, to educate and advance NYSAFP's Single Payer Universal Healthcare plan for New York. Members will continue to drive the message home that a Single Payer approach to universal healthcare coverage will improve the efficiency and quality of the healthcare delivery system, control the cost of health insurance, distribute the cost of health insurance and care fairly and equitably, improve the state's economy and the competitiveness of its businesses, and promote the viability of healthcare providers while ensuring that all New Yorkers have comprehensive health insurance coverage.

FEDERAL UPDATE 30 State Governors Protest Federal SCHIP Changes Twenty-eight Governors have joined Governors Eliot Spitzer and Arnold Schwarzenegger in protesting the Federal changes to SCHIP eligibility enacted on August 17, 2007. The federal changes altering the eligibility rules of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) undermine Governor Spitzer's proposed expansion of children's health insurance in New York and expansions of pending plans in 18 other states and the District of Columbia. A letter, cosigned by all 30 Governors, has been sent to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt.

"All across the country, states are standing up to fight for a program that provides a brighter, healthier future for our children," said Governor Spitzer. "A bi-partisan effort achieved health insurance for all children in New York, but the President's actions mean that 70,000 children will lose that coverage."

Senator Clinton Unveils Her Universal Healthcare Plan On Monday, September 17th, Senator Hillary Clinton laid out her universal healthcare proposal dubbed the America Health Choices Plan. The proposed plan would require all individuals to have coverage and provide tax credits to individuals and small businesses to ensure that no one pays more for insurance than a set percentage of their income. Under the plan, individuals would have the option of enrolling in a public program similar to Medicare or a variety of private plans similar to the health coverage provided to members of Congress and federal employees.

"What I've tried to do in this plan is to reassure people who have insurance that if they like what they have, they can keep it, no questions asked. They can keep their doctor. They can keep whatever hospital they prefer. But if they're among the 47 million uninsured, or the millions of underinsured Americans who think that they could get better coverage at a lower cost, then they're going to have new options," said Senator Clinton while promoting her plan.

"Political Action is a Key Component of a Successful Government Relations Program- Please Support the NYSAFP PAC," said George Dunn, MD, NYSAFP President

The next several months will be very significant to the future of healthcare in New York and federally as the universal healthcare hearings progress and federal and state plans are considered. Also as Governor Spitzer and state legislators continue to prepare for the 2008 session, State Budget and 2008 election cycle, decisions may be made which will affect your patients, practices and the medical profession as a whole.

In addition to meeting with your legislators locally, at the March Lobby Day in Albany and testifying at local hearings, one of the most effective ways to have an impact on politics and healthcare policy is by becoming active in the Academy's political action committee (PAC). By donating to the NYSAFP PAC, you can take direct action to support political candidates in the elections process.

New York State PAC's contribute almost $70 million every year to the election process to insure that the voices of their contributors are heard. Donations to the NYSAFP PAC will enable members to educate elected officials and political candidates about the goals of the Academy and the importance of accessible quality healthcare for all New Yorkers. Through these donations, NYSAFP members will be able to attend political events and get to know their elected officials personally. And having a strong and active political action committee will ensure that the Academy has a seat at the table when our representatives in Albany make important decisions regarding the future of healthcare in New York State.

Please donate to the NYSAFP PAC today. Together, member physicians can raise the Academy's profile in Albany and have a direct impact on healthcare policy in New York State.

To contribute, please make your check payable to NYSAFP PAC and send it to: NYSAFP PAC 260 Osborne Road Loudonville, NY 12211

Thank you.