In North Carolina, NEMPAC support also evolved from a state-level PAC model.

“A few years ago, when group physicians were trying to get more politically involved, we figured out how to create a practice PAC and fund it through payroll deductions,” said Michael W. Icenhour, chief operating officer of Mid-Atlantic Emergency Medical Associates (MEMA) in Charlotte. “We thought that we could take a little out of every paycheck, and no one would miss it.”

When the group wanted to get involved at the national level, Mr. Icenhour found that state-level PACs can give funds to other state PACs, but not to federal ones.

“We checked into becoming a federal PAC, but it didn’t make sense—there was more reporting, funding limits, and so forth,” he said. A better solution for their group, he added, was to make payroll-deduction contributions to NEMPAC.

The suggested amount is “about $21 a month—no doctor will miss that,” Mr. Icenhour said. The success of the group’s state-level effort suggests that this national one, which began in October 2008, will see similar results.

While it can be difficult to persuade doctors to participate in the political process, it is worth it, Mr. Icenhour noted.

“This is an opportunity to provide information so politicians understand our issues. The PAC gives us some ability to get in front of politicians,” he explained.

Funding Decisions

NEMPAC examines incumbents’ voting records and their willingness to cosponsor bills or sign on to legislation supporting emergency medicine and ACEP initiatives, Dr. Auerbach said. If a candidate runs for office with no legislative record to follow, ACEP’s Washington office staff will meet the candidate to understand his or her position on ACEP’s concerns. They will also contact the state chapter office and leadership in the candidate’s state to see if there is a history of involvement with the state chapter and to ascertain the candidate’s support of emergency medicine issues at the state level.

NEMPAC uses its funds to support the campaigns of congressional candidates. “We constantly gear up for the ‘next election’—one-third of the Senate is up every 2 years, and all House members are up every 2 years,” said Jeanne Slade, ACEP’s political action director. “We raise money continually and keep a healthy reserve so we’re always ready.” NEMPAC already has been asked to support campaigns for 2010, she said.