RPA PAC Events
PAC-A-PALOOZA
This summer RPA PAC launched a new program, Pac-A-Palooza, to foster relationships between local nephrologists and their elected officials. RPA PAC members hosted events for legislators who have been supportive of organized medicine in general and kidney issues specifically by convening campaign events in their districts or states.
As part of this effort, on August 31 the RPA PAC hosted a breakfast meeting for Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) at the RPA headquarters in his congressional district in Rockville, MD. In addition to RPA staff, representatives from the kidney care community, emergency physicians, family physicians, internists, osteopaths, neurologists, and ob/gyns attended this event.
Rep. Van Hollen is the Ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committees and was recently appointed to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. After presenting an overview of deficit reduction activities of concern to all Americans and general issues related to Medicare and Medicaid, he answered questions from attendees. Of particular interest to RPA, Rep. Van Hollen highlighted the need to address the ongoing physician reimbursement shortfall and proposed legislation to extend coverage for immunosuppressive drugs for transplant patients.
RPA Clinical Practice Committee Chair Jeff Perlmutter, M.D., (l.) introduced Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) at the RPA PAC event convened at RPA’s offices in Rockville, MD.
Congressman Van Hollen offered insight on debt reduction and health policy concerns to attendees at the August 31 event.
On Wednesday August 17th, the RPA PAC in conjunction with River Parishes Hospital and LifePoint Hospitals convened an event in LaPlace, LA., honoring Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA). Rep. Scalise, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, provided attendees with his perspective on events in Washington and what may occur during the remainder of the first session of the 112th Congress.
Pictured l. to r., Father Joseph Rodney, transplant patient; Muriel Louque, CKD patient; Sidney Sanders, transplant patient; Dr. Farida Baig; Congressman Steve Scalise; Dennis Hymel, CKD patient; and Loni Bourgeois, RN, a home hemodialysis patient.
RPA PAC members are encouraged to host an RPA PAC event in their home districts. Hosting an event in the district is an excellent way of fostering a long-term relationship with your legislators. RPA staff will assist PAC members with scheduling and making arrangements for these events. For more information on hosting a PAC event, contact Rob Blaser at 301-468-3515 or by email at rblaser@renalmd.org.
It is easy to become an RPA PAC member. All you need to do is complete the RPA PAC contribution form.
RPA PAC Annual Meeting Reception
RPA PAC members are invited to a reception during RPA's Annual Meeting. At this reception, RPA PAC members can interact directly with legislators as RPA PAC makes a PAC contribution to selected member(s) of Congress. Past honorees and other legislators attending the RPA PAC annual meeting reception have included:
- House Ways and Means Committee member Representative Tom Price (R-GA);
- House Energy and Commerce Committee member Representative Phil Gingrey (R-GA);
- Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD);
- House Majority Leader Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD);
- House Ways and Means Committee member Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX);
- House Energy and Commerce Committee member Representative John Sarbanes (D-MD);
- House Ways and Means Committee member Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV); and,
- House Ways and Means Committee member Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ).
When in Washington, don’t miss an opportunity to meet with members of Congress and witness RPA PAC putting your generous contributions to good use!
Past RPA PAC Events