Why the ongoing cycle? “For members who are already elected, starting to raise money early discourages challengers,” Ms. Slade explained. “We like to have the opportunity to participate early, and candidates appreciate if we show faith in them. It builds friendship and long-term working relationships.” Early support also helps hold candidates accountable to the issues of importance to ACEP members and their patients.

NEMPAC also works with ACEP members “back home” to encourage them to deliver NEMPAC contributions at local fundraising events and to take extra steps to develop relationships with their national representatives, including volunteering for campaigns and hosting fundraisers in their own communities.

NEMPAC in the Future

Because of NEMPAC’s strong fundraising efforts in 2008, ACEP will have more opportunities to educate new and returning legislators in the new 111th Congress.

“NEMPAC will continue to do what it has been doing, in an expanded manner,” Dr. Auerbach said. “In 2009, we are increasing our goal, because we believe that all emergency physicians should be able to contribute at least at a moderate level. We will continue to work with larger physician groups to see if they can reach 100% participation in NEMPAC.”

A key concern will be ensuring that the issues of importance to emergency physicians and their patients are heard when Congress and the Obama administration move to improve health care access and affordability.

“We must make sure that other initiatives don’t harm emergency physicians or interfere with our ability to care for our patients,” Dr. Auerbach said, “and that we have a prominent place in any discussions of health care reform.”