Central PA Medicine - February 2017 - 8

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Features

PAMPAC:

The Muscle of
Pennsylvania
Physicians

By JAAN SIDOROV, MD

I

t doesn't take a medical degree to ap- "heart" of its charitable Foundation, PAMED
preciate that in order for any complex advances physician well-being and provides
organism to thrive, it needs a strong these professionals with educational and
brain, heart and muscles. Fortunately for support resources dealing with issues such
Pennsylvania's physicians who are dealing with as professional burnout and substance abuse.
today's complex medical practice environment,
all three are in place through the Pennsylvania PAMPAC
Medical Society (PAMED).
Through the "muscle" of PAMPAC,
PAMED uses a bipartisan approach to elect
I'm talking about the Pennsylvania Medical legislators who understand the implications
Society itself (the "brains"), the Foundation public policy can have on a physician's ability
of the Pennsylvania Medical Society (the to effectively care for patients. In particular,
"heart") and PAMPAC, the political arm of PAMPAC uses financial contributions from
the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
its physician members (though non-physicians
can provide support as well) to support the
PAMED represents over 16,000 physicians election as well as re-election of candidates
and medical students who seek to help to legislative and executive offices who are
non-physician stakeholders better understand, willing to work with organized medicine to
preserve and enhance the doctor-patient ensure that physicians can deliver the highest
relationship. This includes, but is not limited quality of care possible.
to, elected officials, regulators, insurance
company leaders, media representatives,
PAMPAC vigorously supports candidates
hospital executives, public health leaders who share physicians' views over issues such
and patient advocacy groups. Through its as the ever-present threat of abusive and
8 February 2017 Central PA Medicine

non-meritorious lawsuits, the importance of
protecting patient safety in scope of practice
issues and the need for a "level playing field"
between patients and health insurers. This support not only includes political contributions,
but personalized education about the complex
and dynamic nature of today's patient care.
PAMPAC'S TRACK RECORD
OF SUCCESS
During the 2016 campaign cycle, PAMPAC's physician leaders interviewed a number
of top level candidates from both parties
seeking congressional office in Washington or
vying to become Pennsylvania's next Attorney
General. Since incumbents and challengers
alike recognize PAMPAC's influence within
the statewide physician community, it had
little difficulty scheduling these interviews
over several weeks in the fall of 2016.
These interviews involved numerous physicians from across the state, including PAMED's
physician leaders. The candidates were closely
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