Strengthening Pathology Advocacy with PathPAC

Robert Johnson:

Pathologists who belong to the College of American Pathologists have a political action committee working on their behalf. It's unique in Washington, DC. Most organizations with an interest in federal policymaking have tools to help them engage lawmakers. The College of American Pathologists has several. The CAP operates PathNET, a grassroots network of hundreds of members ready to connect with lawmakers on critical issues. The CAP also manages a political action committee called PathPAC. It's the only one created to advocate for the election and reelection of candidates for federal office who understand the value of pathology in improving patient care. Dr. Randy Eckert is chair of the CAP's Political Action Committee.

Dr. Randy Eckert:

It's the only Federal Political Action Committee exclusively dedicated to championing the interests of pathologists in the United States. I don't think many people understand well, what PACs are in the very basic terms. It is a collective voice in the political arena. It's things like Medicare cuts that are threatening the financial stability of pathology practices. It's those types of issues that PathPAC helps support in the advocacy agenda for the College.

Robert Johnson:

Many listeners may not be familiar with how a PAC works if they've not been asked to donate to one in the past. Can you give us a little tutorial for members who might be listening, what it does, how it's organized?

Dr. Randy Eckert:

As are any political action committees, they are the opportunity for members to engage collectively in a political process. It's funded entirely by voluntary contributions from the members, which means every dollar comes from a pathologist who wants to make a significant difference in the advocacy agenda for the College. Once we pool those funds, we evaluate and then support federal candidates who understand the role of pathology and patient care and are really positioned to make a significant impact on health policy. And it's not just about making those donations either. We strive very hard to build long-term relationships, and by doing so, we ensure that when lawmakers are making decisions that affect our specialty, we have a seat at the table and they know who we are.

Robert Johnson:

Without donations, the PAC really doesn't exist. So talk a little bit about the goal this year. How much are we trying to raise?

Dr. Randy Eckert:

To raise?

Robert Johnson:

Yeah, raise.

Dr. Randy Eckert:

You made an important point. We rely entirely on voluntary contributions from CAP members. As the PAC of the College, we can only solicit and receive funds from CAP members. So every voluntary contribution is important to us. For 2025, our fundraising goal is $200,000. Doesn't seem like a lot of money, but the reality is, is that the board is very careful in how we choose which legislators to support, whether they're running for the first time or they're an incumbent. All of those things have a significant impact on who we choose to support. So while it doesn't seem like a lot of money, the reality is it has a significant impact on the advocacy agenda for the College.

Robert Johnson:

And there are limits to the amount of money that a member can contribute, which means we need a lot of members to get involved in this. Can you tell us about the restrictions and the rules involved

Dr. Randy Eckert:

Different from a lot of the committees and councils of the college Path? PAC Board operates also under regulations established by the Federal Election Commission. And that law sets out a limit of $5,000 per year per individual to contributions for PACS like pac. So every member can contribute up to $5,000 annually. But it's important to note that each and every dollar makes a difference in our advocacy agenda, which comes down to saying it doesn't make any difference really, whether you're giving a little or a lot. Every dollar helps support our advocacy agenda for pathology and patient care.

Robert Johnson:

And that leads to the next question then. What's the average amount that a member pathologist contributes to the PAC today?

Dr. Randy Eckert:

It's been consistent for quite some time. The average contribution per CAP member is $313. Now, that might be surprising to some people, and I think the reason that it is, is because it's a very strong reminder that it doesn't make any difference how much you give and that you don't have to give the maximum in order to make a real impact. We aggregate dollars from all contributors to the pack, and so it gives us an opportunity to take every dollar and make the most of it. Even if hundreds of if not thousands of CAP members were to donate at that level, we would have a very strong unified voice for a pathology. So every contribution, whether it's $50 or $300 or $5,000 allowed by law, really gives us a, to support champions in Congress and ensure our policymakers understand how essential pathology is to patient care. And the healthcare system. It's not just about the amount, it's about showing up and being a part of something bigger.

Robert Johnson:

And just to repeat, CAP funds cannot be used to support the pac. So membership dues, as an example, are off limits. This really is an enterprise that's driven entirely by donations from members.

Dr. Randy Eckert:

That's absolutely right. Federal law does prohibit the use of any CAP funds, including membership dues to support PathPAC so that it's entirely funded by voluntary contributions. Those contributions are very personal to CAP members, and I think that's why individual support is so important to us. Each donation that we receive reflects their personal commitment to advocacy and ensures that our specialty is represented as effectively as possible in Washington.

Robert Johnson:

Wrapping up then, can you make your best pitch to members who are listening to this? Why is it important to have a wealth funded PathPAC in 2025?

Dr. Randy Eckert:

I think essentially that a well-funded PAC gives our specialty a seat at the table when all of those very critical health policy decisions are being made. The reality is that members of Congress want to hear from as many interest groups as possible. So if we're not engaged, our voice gets drowned out by everybody else. PathPAC allows us to build those relationships with key legislatures, support those who champion pathology as a medical specialty and a practice of medicine. And it ensures that our concerns are part of the conversation. It's all about influence. With a strong pact, we can ensure that we can protect patient care, advocate for fair payment policies, and defend the future of our profession.

Robert Johnson:

PathPAC has scheduled a fundraising event during the House of Delegates and Pathologists Leadership Summit later this month in Washington. It's one of many events on the agenda that runs from April 26th through April 29th. Learn more about the summit and sign up to attend. Using the link in the show notes for the College of American Pathologists. This is Robert Johnson. Have a great day.