Ampac

AMPAC Election Report

AMPAC spent more than $4.2 million in the 2007-2008 cycle to help pro-medicine candidates for federal office through Direct Contributions to 430 candidates, Partisan Communications to Physicians on behalf of 110 candidates, and Independent Expenditures and Electioneering Communications for six candidates.

The most important and explicit method of helping physician-friendly candidates in both parties is through direct financial support of their campaigns.  Working in concert with state medical societies, AMPAC contributed more than $1.7 million to candidates, making AMPAC one of the largest PACs in this arena and the largest medical PAC.  Of the candidates AMPAC supported, 95% won and among the most competitive races AMPAC had an impressive 73% win rate.

AMPAC mailed more than 500,000 pieces of direct mail to physicians urging the support of pro-medicine candidates.  Working closely with the state medical societies, AMPAC spent approximately $300,000 informing AMA and state medical society members about the importance of participating in the political process.  Political Communications to Physicians—officially known as Partisan Communications—are effective both as demonstrating our support for key members of Congress and serving as a reminder to AMA members that AMPAC is working on their behalf.
AMPAC conducted $1.5 million worth of Independent Expenditures (IE) in the form of direct mail, television and internet ads, persuading people to vote for physician-friendly candidates.  AMPAC communications are always bi-partisan, positive in nature, are based on rigorous research and are tested to ensure AMPAC has a beneficial impact on the race.

Under new federal regulations AMPAC engaged in “Electioneering Communications,” a tactic that enables AMPAC to educate voters about a candidate’s stance on health care, without explicitly calling for the election or defeat of the candidate.

Following the election, the 111th Congress saw an increase in the number of physicians serving as Members of Congress.  Of the 30 physicians who ran for federal office in 2008, 16 were elected and six of them are alumni of AMPAC’s Political Education Programs.