With the pivotal 2016 elections just weeks away and on the minds of voters nationwide, ACEP16 is the perfect opportunity for emergency physicians to demonstrate their commitment to political and grassroots advocacy on behalf of the specialty. As in years past, ACEP council members stepped up to the plate during the NEMPAC Council Challenge to ensure that emergency medicine stays at the top of the leaderboard among medical PACs and continues to be a strong, respected voice in Washington, D.C.

Prior to and during the ACEP Council meeting over the weekend, NEMPAC collected nearly $300,000 from Council members. Combined with thousands of donations this year by ACEP members across the country, NEMPAC is well on its way to exceeding the $1 million goal set by the ACEP Board of Directors in 2016. Along with more than $1 million collected from ACEP members last year, NEMPAC was able to contribute $1.8 million to 26 Senate candidates and 208 House races.

NEMPAC serves a vital role in advancing ACEP’s legislative agenda and in broadening ACEP’s visibility with Congress. NEMPAC’s growth has allowed us to be involved in more congressional races and has expanded our influence on Capitol Hill.

The NEMPAC Board of Trustees, made up of ACEP members, approves a candidate budget for each election cycle.  Evaluation criteria is based on the candidate’s or member’s support of ACEP’s legislative priorities.  Other factors considered include the member’s committee assignment, leadership position, and the difficulty of his/her election campaign. NEMPAC also relies on the input of ACEP state chapter leadership, individual 911 Network members, and NEMPAC supporters when evaluating open seat and challenger races.

Key issues shaping NEMPAC contribution decisions are support or “co-sponsorship” of ACEP-endorsed legislation, including EMTALA liability relief legislation, EMS Standing Orders legislation, support of mental health legislation to end the practice of psychiatric boarding in emergency departments, legislation to address the opioid and synthetic drug crisis, and preserving critical funding for trauma, EMS, graduate medical education, Medicare, Medicaid, and emergency preparedness programs, as well as other issues that merit support. For more information about NEMPAC, please visit the link in the ACEP16 app or visit www.emergencyphysicianspac.org

NEMPAC Stats for the 2016 elections

• 744 contributions delivered by ACEP members or staff for candidates in the 2016 elections.
• 250 ACEP members participated in more than 100 campaign events for federal legislators.
• ACEP staff and members met with 45 new candidates for NEMPAC consideration.

NEMPAC is proud to support three emergency physicians running for Congress in 2016 and is hosting events for these candidates during ACEP16.

Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) for U.S. Senate in Nevada

Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) for re-election to CA-26

Dr. Mark Plaster (R-CA), first-time congressional candidate in MD-03