GO Time 2010GO Time 2010

American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee

Chair & Region IV Representative

Amy Jo Lamb, OTD, OTR/L

AOTA 90th Annual Conference and ExpositionOrlando, FL

ASD Annual MeetingApril 28-May 2, 2010

Every new day begins with Every new day begins with possibilities. It’s up to us to fill it possibilities. It’s up to us to fill it

with the things that move us toward with the things that move us toward peace and progress.peace and progress.

~ Ronald Regan~ Ronald Regan

GO Time 2010GO Time 2010Growth and OpportunityGrowth and Opportunity

• The time for debate is over

• Advocacy efforts are needed to ensure we are well positioned as the regulatory process of health care reform is taking place

• Additional reforms are coming

• Informed and active professional members are key to success

GO TimeGO Time

• Growth– Establishing ourselves in wellness and

prevention– Demonstrating cost effectiveness

• Opportunity– Increasing the visibility of occupational

therapy– Advocate for access to quality services– To keep the momentum going

The Courage to Hold the The Courage to Hold the RopeRope

• The OT Team needs your commitment• Find the opportunities to do more

than what is required• Maintain your membership in your

national and state associations• Stay active and informed

Once we let up we hurt the teamOnce we let up we hurt the team

Don’t let your team down, hold the ropeDon’t let your team down, hold the rope

AOTPACAOTPAC

What is a Political Action What is a Political Action Committee?Committee?

a group formed (as by an industry or an issue-oriented organization) to raise

and contribute money to the campaigns of candidates likely to

advance the group's interests

How does AOTPAC differ How does AOTPAC differ from AOTA?from AOTA?

• Federal Affairs Department Federal Affairs Department monitors the U. S. monitors the U. S. Congress and selected Congress and selected federal agencies. federal agencies.

• Establishes the legislative Establishes the legislative agenda in conjunction with agenda in conjunction with association leaders.association leaders.

• Lobbies for and against Lobbies for and against public policy initiatives public policy initiatives based on the association’s based on the association’s established legislative established legislative agenda.agenda.

• The The onlyonly legal means for an legal means for an organization to raise and organization to raise and disburse funds to candidates disburse funds to candidates for public officefor public office

• Provides occupational Provides occupational therapy practitioners with a therapy practitioners with a collective voice on health collective voice on health care issues before Congress.care issues before Congress.

• Provides funds to support Provides funds to support candidates who support the candidates who support the profession of occupational profession of occupational therapy and it’s policy therapy and it’s policy initiatives.initiatives.

AOTPAC: A Vital AOTPAC: A Vital ComponentComponent

• Political action arm of AOTA that compliments AOTA’s public policy agenda & supports its lobbying efforts

• By law, AOTA cannot give any financial support to any candidate running for office.

• None of AOTA membership dues can be used to support political candidates.

How AOTPAC Stacks Up in How AOTPAC Stacks Up in the Tri-Alliancethe Tri-Alliance

20082008

• APTA-PAC $626,177

• ASHA-PAC $132,511

• AOTPAC $259,564

20092009

• APTA-PAC $689,646

• ASHA-PAC $127,500

• AOTPAC $230,500

Receipts of AOTPAC and Receipts of AOTPAC and Other Health PACsOther Health PACs

1/2009-12/20091/2009-12/2009

PAC AssociationMembership

MeanProfessionalSalaries

Receipts

AOTA PAC 40,000 $67,920 $230,587

APTA PAC 74,000 $74,410 $689,646

ASHA PAC 136,000 $66,130 $132,511

NASW PAC 150,000 $48,180 $386,344

AANA PAC 40,000 $163,467 $703,930

ACA PAC 15,000 $81,340 $163,460

Note: Mean Salaries according to United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009)

Why Donate to AOTPACWhy Donate to AOTPAC• Decisions Decisions of Congress can and do have a direct, long-range

effect on the occupational therapy profession.

• AOTPAC provides AOTA a key avenue for their advocacy efforts as well as assisting members in developing relationships with their elected officials.

• AOTPAC is an important educational tool for elected officials. When candidates and officeholders appeal for money from AOTPAC it means they want to learn about you and OT.

• AOTPAC makes carefully studied, well-informed decisions on which candidates and officeholders to support.

• You are your association, your voice is the voice that moves this association and makes it the professional voice for occupational therapy

Contribute to AOTPAC Contribute to AOTPAC TodayToday

• A Dollar A Day Campaign

• Contributions of every size make a difference, especially when you tell others to do the same.

AOTPAC AOTPAC Student ChallengeStudent Challenge

2010 Elections2010 Elections• Elections equal opportunity

• All House seats and one-third of the Senate are up for re-election this year

• As of today, there have been over 40 announcements of retirements

• The Massachusetts election has inspired new candidates who jumping in to many races that were thought to be unchallengeable a few months ago.

2010 Elections2010 ElectionsWhy are they important to me?Why are they important to me?• They allow you to really impact the process by

showing your support for those that have or will support our profession

• More and more health care decisions on issues important to OT are being made in Washington – this is the best way to make a difference

• Other competing interests are aggressively voicing their opinions and reaching into their pockets to help their candidates

• It is much more effective to be able to talk to a friend.

GO Time in the 2010 GO Time in the 2010 ElectionsElections

• Growth– Get involved in campaigns– Build the relationship early

• Opportunity– Vote

A little here a little thereA little here a little there

• AOTA currently has approximately 40,000 members

• If each member contributed $10 a year, AOTPAC would have $40,000 to focus on political action and support legislation that supports occupational therapy practice and YOU!

Celebrating our SuccessCelebrating our Success

• Leadership support 2008– 100% of Assembly of Student Delegates– 100% of Representative Assembly– 100% of AOTA Executive Board– Increased support from other leadership groups (PD,

ASAP)• Leadership support 2009

– 100% of Assembly of Student Delegates– 100% of AOTA Executive Board

• Student challenge 2009– 13 schools participated– $4,461

• KOTA raised over $6,000 at their 2008 & 2009 annual conference

• Program Directors raised over $10,000 at the 2009 annual meeting in Baltimore

AOTPAC 2008 ScorecardAOTPAC 2008 Scorecard

• Supported 126 U.S. Senate and House of Representative candidates in 2008 election

• 119 won!• 94.44%

Take Action – Act NOWTake Action – Act NOW

Get Involved!

Contribute Today!

It’s GO TimeIt’s GO Time

Are you ready to stand up Are you ready to stand up for occupational therapy for occupational therapy

and make your voice and make your voice heard?heard?