More than 40 years ago, a group of ACEP members started NEMPAC, and today, we continue to carry forth their mission to work in the best interest of emergency medicine.

Political action has become an integral part of the business culture found in nearly every sector of the economy. Grassroots activism and financial strength through a PAC can be a profession’s best tools to broaden relationships with influential members of Congress.

NEMPAC is a mobilizing force that we use to protect and advance ACEP’s mission of promoting the highest-quality emergency care and serving as the leading advocate for emergency physicians, your patients, and the public. It is the only national PAC solely dedicated to representing our shared, bipartisan interests in Washington, D.C.

The importance and relevance of our PAC continues to grow. Over the past year, NEMPAC played a crucial role in helping ACEP find success on issues like Medicare reimbursement cuts, surprise medical billing, and obtaining needed resources during the pandemic. Now, with issues on the table such as addressing emergency physician mental health, preventing additional Medicare cuts, alleviating workplace violence, and providing access to treatment for emergency department patients suffering from mental health and substance abuse disorders, we need a voice more than ever.

NEMPAC has never been partisan—we always have been strategic about whom we decide to support based on their support of us. During the 2020 election cycle, NEMPAC contributed nearly $1.7 million to federal candidates, party committees, and independent expenditures on both sides of the aisle. Of that, we allocated 55 percent to Democrats and 45 percent to Republicans. In the prior election cycle when Republicans held the House and Senate, our giving was reversed at 55 percent to Republicans and 45 percent to Democrats (see Figure 1). To further the breakdown, in 2020, 42 percent of all support went to diverse candidates, 24.2 percent of all support went to female candidates, and 23 physician candidates were supported.

Figure 1

We are proud of these accomplishments and thank the generous donors who made this possible, even amid being on the front lines during an ongoing global pandemic.

We understand that ACEP members are a diverse group, but all rise every day to take care of patients and their community with a unique, selfless dedication. While you take care of others, we want you to know you can rely on NEMPAC to protect your livelihood in the political arena. We have always made every effort to do what is best for emergency medicine, and we are not planning on changing that now.