As the political campaign season swings into high gear, emergency physicians are engaged as never before with legislative officials in Washington, D.C. and in home districts.

The impetus, of course, is the number of significant health care reform initiatives pending at the Federal level and party control of the U.S. Senate, House, and White House hanging in the balance.

The National Emergency Medicine Political Action Committee (NEMPAC), created as a separate fund within ACEP, is now one of the nation’s top four political action committees among physician specialties.

It ranks as a top donor, along with anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons and radiologists.

By making contributions to NEMPAC, ACEP members can combine their individual donations to have maximum impact with legislators. While there are common concerns among medical specialties, NEMPAC officials say emergency physicians benefit from having their own strong presence in Washington, D.C.

“Emergency medicine still remains the safety net of America,” said Dr. Peter J. Jacoby, chairman of NEMPAC’s Board of Trustees. “We are there all the time, whether you can pay or not pay.”

That unique identity within the medical profession is a key part of NEMPAC’s success.

Emergency physicians are increasingly aware that their practices are greatly influenced by the outcome of political campaigns, and by legislative and regulatory decisions from lawmakers. It’s critical that emergency physicians identify with NEMPAC’s mission because the committee’s funds are raised exclusively from personal donations by ACEP members.

A member may contribute up to $5,000 to NEMPAC per year. Because NEMPAC cannot accept contributions from corporations and non-ACEP members, its success is reliant on the support and commitment of the membership, year after year. Much of NEMPAC’s growth has occurred in recent years. Since 2008, it has raised more than $1 million per year.

The PAC raised its sights this year because of the high number of contested political races across the country and is on target to meet a fundraising goal of $1,150,000 set by ACEP’s Board of Directors. From Jan. 1-Sept. 1 of this year, 4,486 ACEP members collectively donated $716,957 to NEMPAC. NEMPAC traditionally receives a big boost in fall during ACEP’s Scientific Assembly when the leadership of ACEP steps up to the plate as well as EM physician groups such as CEP America, EMA, EMP, MEP, and FEP among others who collect contributions from their ACEP members and donate them during the meeting.

The NEMPAC Board of Trustees set a fundraising goal of $200,000 for the 2012 meeting in October. Some longtime emergency physicians say they can see the impact of NEMPAC’s work because members have much more input on public policy now than in past years.

“We are known, we are respected, but that didn’t happen by accident,” said Dr. Arlo Weltge, a NEMPAC board member from Texas. “The change has been amazing in what ACEP has done to represent our interests.”

Annual member visits to Capitol Hill have helped with issue advocacy as well, he said. “They realize, based upon our contributions and our presence, that we are an important voice.”

Meanwhile, the dividends also pay off closer to home. ACEP was recently invited to comment at a hearing conducted by the Texas Medical Board.

“It means we’re on people’s radar screens,’’ Dr. Weltge said.

Each year, ACEP develops a legislative and regulatory agenda to advance issues critical to members. A candidates’ support of these priorities is a key factor in determining eligibility for a NEMPAC contribution. When the candidate is an incumbent, NEMPAC may also consider past support and co-sponsorship of ACEP legislation, as well as committee assignments, leadership positions, and the competitiveness of the race.

Candidates who have a history of working with ACEP and who have received past contributions from ACEP are also given consideration. And decisions about how members’ donations are allocated are not top-down. Input from state chapters, local officials, and members of the 911 Network is weighed as funds are spent. Whenever possible, financial donations to candidates are delivered by local members throughout the campaign season. The face time with local physicians helps drive the message home because it provides an opportunity to educate not only prospective officials but past allies. In 2012 alone, ACEP members attended nearly 100 fundraising events on behalf of NEMPAC.

In an ever-changing legislative arena, the ongoing contact is important because “you’re only as good as the last time you spoke to someone,’’ Dr. Jacoby said.

But NEMPAC does more than direct financial contributions. Officials say they are approached by both political candidates and physicians who want to meet and exchange information.

“We look at every donation from NEMPAC to a candidate as an opportunity to talk about emergency medicine,” said Jeanne L. Slade, Director of NEMPAC and Political Affairs.

Incumbent officeholders who’ve been allies in the past often come to rely heavily on NEMPAC’s expertise as upcoming legislative proposals are evaluated. And physicians are eager to have input when laws and regulations are still in the development stages. Without the opportunity to support sympathetic candidates, ACEP would have less clout as decisions are made in Washington, D.C.

Leaders say they do not seek a quid pro quo for financial support of candidates, but believe that major contributors have more opportunities to be heard over the long-haul.

“We are definitely getting our message out to the political candidates,” said Dr. Jacoby. “This is a long-term relationship,” Dr. Weltge said. “In many ways it’s a marathon.”

And political candidates are well aware that emergency physicians wield more than a checkbook. ACEP members have extensive grassroots ties within congressional districts because of their roles as emergency providers. ACEP President Dr. David Seaberg said members represent not only their own interests, but also the patients and the public.

“Emergency physicians are truly the ‘white hat’ physicians in medicine but we need to get our critical messages out, and NEMPAC allows us to do that,” Dr. Seaberg said. “NEMPAC is essential in getting our messages out on the importance of Emergency Medicine.”