PADPAC:
Your Professional Insurance in Harrisburg
In an election year filled with unforeseen
political events, the Pennsylvania Dental
Association’s government relations
team monitors how decisions made
by the General Assembly impact the
dental profession statewide. Pennsylvania
is a geographically and politically
fractious state, and our team is here to
track legislation and regulations that
determine how members practice as
dental providers, treat patients, and
operate as small and large business
owners throughout the Commonwealth’s
many regions.
The Pennsylvania Dental Association
Political Action Committee (PADPAC)
plays a critical role in PDA’s advocacy
efforts with the state legislature.
PADPAC, which is entirely funded
by members and is one of the largest
bi-partisan health care PACs in Pennsylvania, gives dentists a tangible means
to support candidates who will listen to
dentistry’s concerns in Harrisburg.
20
S E P / O C T 2 0 1 6 | P E N N S Y LVA N I A D E N TA L J O U R N A L
PADPAC supports candidates with
funding entirely raised from PDA’s
members donations. A contribution
made to a candidate by PADPAC
represents the support of dentists who
themselves contributed to PADPAC.
The health care landscape is witnessing
an ongoing transformation. Through
PADPAC’s resources, we can effectively
respond to legislative decisions that shape
the future of our members’ profession,
practice and patients. But we cannot
aggressively pursue our legislative
priorities without a well-funded PAC.
It is important to have a PAC that is
comprised of members who make
donations, raise resources and devote
time to ensuring PDA is fully engaged
in the political process.
It is through PADPAC that PDA engages
and supports members of the General
Assembly and candidates who represent
the best interests of the dental profession.
And as PADPAC donors, our members
enjoy benefits that help them better
advocate for the dental profession.
Members participate in the legislative
process by forming invaluable relationships with senators and representatives.
The bond created between PADPAC
donors and legislators serves as the
foundation for our grassroots advocacy
efforts. We cannot carry out our legislative
goals without this peer-to-peer network.
PADPAC strives to help more dentists
get involved in the political arena. We
educate PADPAC members through a
PADPAC newsletter, which keeps them
apprised of a constant stream of political
developments across Pennsylvania.
Members also receive invitations to golf
fundraisers and legislative receptions,
where they can strike up or build
on relationships with legislators and
staff members.