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What is COA PAC?
COA PAC is a political action committee. It is the only national political action committee affiliated solely with independent community oncology. Funds raised within COA PAC are used primarily to contribute to the campaigns of individuals seeking elected office in the United States, including the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. COA PAC supports those individuals seeking public office who have demonstrated an interest in cancer care and, in particular, in preserving and enhancing the community cancer care delivery system serving 4 out of 5 Americans with cancer.
Why is there a need for COA PAC?
Community oncology needs to be represented in the political action committee arena because virtually every other medical specialty is represented. Oncology, especially community oncology, is noticeably absent. Aside from COA PAC, which is relatively new, the only other political action committee specific to oncology is corporate US Oncology. That is why COA PAC is seeking to substantially increase its funding. As the list of the top 40 healthcare provider PACs — in terms of spending for the 2007- 2008 election cycle — dramatically illustrates (see below), virtually all top medical specialties have a very active political action committee. During the 2008 election cycle (years 2007 & 2008), contributions by political action committees affiliated with healthcare provider entities to candidates for election totaled over $22 million. This accounted for roughly 50% of giving by all healthcare organizations, including pharmaceutical and health products manufacturers, hospitals, and HMOs.
| American Dental Association |
$1,828,890
|
|
American Psychiatric Association
|
$329,549
|
| American Medical Association |
$1,285,450
|
|
American Assn of Neurological Surgeons |
$327,000
|
| American Society of Anesthesiologists |
$1,159,000
|
|
American Assn of Orthodontists |
$321,313
|
| American College of Radiology |
$1,119,500
|
|
American Assn of Clinical Urologists |
$308,000
|
| American Optometric Association |
$1,085,765
|
|
American Assn/Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons |
$306,000
|
| American Physical Therapy Association |
$954,570
|
|
American Society of Plastic Surgeons |
$283,500
|
| American College of Emergency Physicians |
$919,750
|
|
American Interventional Pain Physicians |
$277,500
|
| American Assn of Orthopaedic Surgeons |
$874,353
|
|
American Osteopathic Association |
$256,000
|
| American Assn of Nurse Anesthetists |
$831,074
|
|
American Occupational Therapy Assn |
$254,900
|
| American Academy of Ophthalmology |
$809,852
|
|
American Chiropractic Association |
$248,850
|
| National Community Pharmacists Assn. |
$721,206
|
|
Physicians for Women’s Health |
$248,359
|
| American Podiatric Medical Association |
$651,750
|
|
Society of Thoracic Surgeons |
$207,500
|
| American College of Surgeons Prof Assn. |
$612,000
|
|
American College of Physicians Services |
$202,348
|
| American College of Cardiology |
$604,416
|
|
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry |
$188,500
|
| US Oncology |
$599,900
|
|
American Dietetic Association |
$174,182
|
| American Nurses Association |
$550,966
|
|
Assn for the Advancement of Psychology |
$135,150
|
| College of American Pathologists |
$487,910
|
|
American Society/Therapeutic Radiology |
$129,500
|
| American Academy of Family Physicians |
$447,500
|
|
American Speech-Language-Hearing Assn. |
$110,999
|
| American Academy of Dermatology Assn. |
$378,500
|
|
National Assn of Spine Specialists |
$107,000
|
| American Academy of Otolaryngology |
$344,000
|
|
American Academy of Audiology |
$103,550
|
How does COA PAC relate to the Community Oncology Alliance (COA)?
COA supports the administration of COA PAC according to, and authorized by, all applicable federal campaign laws. The mission of COA is to protect and foster the community oncology delivery system in the United States through public policy, advocacy, and education. Americans battling cancer receive high quality, affordable, and accessible cancer care in community oncology clinics close to home. The accessibility of high quality cancer care, coupled with earlier diagnosis and new therapies, has resulted in decreased cancer mortality.
The guiding principles of COA are as follows:
COA is committed to patients and protecting their access to quality, affordable cancer care.
COA is a non-profit, grassroots organization.
COA is focused solely on community cancer care in the United States.
COA is governed by community oncologists and practice administrators who are committed to COA adhering to the highest standards of integrity.
How are contributions made to and disbursed by COA PAC?
COA PAC accepts contributions by individuals affiliated with COA and community oncology clinics in the United States, in strict accordance with all applicable federal campaign laws. All contributions are made strictly on a voluntary basis. Contributions to COA PAC can only be made by individuals. Corporations cannot make contributions to a political action committee according to federal campaign laws. Individual contributions made to COA PAC cannot exceed $5,000 for a two-year election cycle (we are in the current 2010 cycle) and are not deductible for income tax purposes.
COA PAC accepts all sizes of contributions, with suggested contributions of at least $500-1,000, although more (up to the $5,000 limit) or less may be given. Funds disbursed by COA PAC are in accordance with all applicable federal campaign laws. COA PAC produces quarterly reports on its activities for donors, as well as filing all reports required by federal campaign laws.
How do I make a contribution to COA PAC?
A contribution can be made using a credit card or by personal check.
To make a contribution by using a credit card, go to the COA website — www.communityoncology.org — and press the red COA PAC tab on the menu bar. A contribution can be made securely online via PayPal.
To make a contribution by personal check, make the check out to COA PAC and send to:
Community Oncology Alliance PAC
1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 700
Washington, DC 20004
The Board of COA PAC consists of Patrick Cobb, MD (Treasurer), Jeff Patton, MD, Dave Eagle, MD, Robert Hermann, MD, and Ted Okon.