Ob-GynPAC is the 12th largest donor in the current cycle, having contributed $272,500. ACOG has 55,000 members.
In addition to working in the federal sector, Ob-GynPAC is getting involved in the states, Dr. Martin said. This year, the PAC has set aside some $50,000 of its funds to support state candidates.
Five years ago, the American College of Rheumatology started RheumPAC alongside efforts to increase its advocacy efforts, according to RheumPAC chair Dr. Gary Bryant.
A lot of the PAC’s work has been "getting the word out that we exist and the importance of participating in the political process," said Dr. Bryant, associate professor at the University of Minnesota. He added that he views as a recent success the introduction of the Patients Access to Treatments Act of 2012 (H.R. 4209), sponsored by Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.), which would limit patients’ cost-sharing for certain medications.
Even though it was founded in 2001, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists’ AACEPAC also is trying to raise its 6,500 members’ interest in participating, said Dr. Jonathan Leffert, chair of AACEPAC. Some of the diseases that endocrinologists treat, specifically diabetes and osteoporosis, have a huge impact on Medicare spending, "and we want to lend our voice to that," he said. The PAC has donated $20,000 to $30,000 to candidates in each of the last two cycles, and about half that so far in the 2012 cycle.
"Despite our small size and our small PAC dollar amount, because of our persistence and our focus, I think we’ve been extremely successful in making ourselves a force on Capitol Hill," Dr. Leffert said, noting at least a temporary victory in increasing payments for bone densitometry measurement in physician offices and securing introduction of the Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act, which would create a board to enhance diabetes care.
Some physician groups, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, have decided not to establish PACs. Dr. Marion Burton, immediate past president of the AAP, said that a PAC is not necessary for pediatricians. He says unlike many other specialties, pediatricians command attention just by nature of their patients. The AAP "has a huge respect in Congress because most of the time we come with our hands and hearts held out for children," said Dr. Burton.