APMAPAC
What is APMAPAC?
The APMA Political Action Committee (APMAPAC, formerly PPAC) is a nonprofit, bipartisan fundraising committee through which podiatrists support federal candidates who champion podiatric medicine's issues before the US Congress.
Because of the efforts of APMAPAC and its parent organization, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), the profession has gained a national presence as a political force in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, due to the impact of the COVID Pandemic on our ability to raise funds from our members, APMAPAC no longer ranks on the list of organizations contributing to candidates for Congress. Your support for APMAPAC will help turn that around and put podiatry back in the forefront.
APMAPAC neither determines the issues to be addressed on behalf of the profession, nor lobbies Congress on those issues. That is the role of APMA's Legislative Committee, Board of Trustees, and Legislative Advocacy Department.
APMAPAC's role is to support candidates seeking Congressional office in the US House and Senate. The only other legal means for such support is through contributions made directly to a candidate by an individual.
Who Oversees APMAPAC?
A board of directors that is independent of APMA's Board of Trustees governs APMAPAC. The directors, with help from members of the APMAPAC National Coordinating Committee, volunteer their time to raise funds for political action.
APMAPAC operates under the guidelines of federal election laws established in 1971, which require the reporting of all receipts and disbursements to the Federal Election Commission. The legality and function of APMAPAC and other federal PACs are protected and prescribed by federal law.
Who Receives APMAPAC Support?
Funds collected by APMAPAC are in turn contributed to Congressional candidates who are selected without regard to political party. Only candidates seeking a seat in the US House or Senate may be recipients of APMAPAC's funds. Candidate support is based on:
- A candidate's position on issues—Does the incumbent candidate support podiatric medicine's issues? Is the candidate accessible to APMA members and lobbyists? If a candidate is a non-incumbent, was the candidate supportive in the state or local governing structure?
- A candidate's congressional committee appointment—As an incumbent, does the candidate serve on a committee that has jurisdiction over federal health policy?
- APMA member/state component endorsement—Does the candidate have the backing of APMA members and/or the state component? This criterion is required for support of non-incumbents.
- DPM Clause–If the candidate is a doctor of podiatric medicine, is the candidate a member in good standing of the APMA? Membership in APMA is required for consideration of support from APMAPAC.
Who May Give to APMAPAC?
Members and staff of APMA, their family members, and members and staff of APMA's affiliated organizations may contribute to APMAPAC. Contributions must be from personal funds if they are to be used for contributions to candidates for federal office. Corporate and non-member contributions received are allocated to APMA POP (APMA Protecting Our Profession, formerly the Government Education Fund), which is used for political education and PAC administrative costs. Contributions to APMAPAC must be voluntary and do not qualify for an income tax deduction.