Government Relations
PADPAC Happenings
As you read this we are close to the end of the 2017-18 legislative session. PADPAC has been very busy working for you and your profession this session. This has been a big election cycle for PADPAC, with a number of key developments.
We have pushed SB 373 Assignment of Benefits( AoB) further than it’ s ever been in PDA’ s multi-decade fight for victory on this issue. The bill is currently in the House Appropriations committee. We are only three steps away from AoB becoming the law of Pennsylvania.
We are so close. If you help NOW with your time, talent and resources, we can make your practice life easier. AoB is a direct benefit to you, your practice and your patients. The more experienced among you know how much harder your practice is because we don’ t yet have AoB. Just imagine the landscape after we achieve it for you. We don’ t want to use the description“ a win for the ages,” but it will certainly be a game changer. Not only will it make for a personal and professional victory, but it will show everyone involved in Pennsylvania politics that PADPAC can take on our state’ s biggest lobbying presence, the insurance lobby, and win. This raises our profile and makes us a voice and a force to be reckoned with. This will pay dividends for years to come. It may even make future legislative and regulatory victories more likely.
We received our first President’ s Club level PAC contribution in six years. PDA President Dr. Jim Boyle made a very generous PADPAC contribution because he knows the value of having a healthy and well funded PAC. It’ s through PAC contributions that we are able to positively influence and shape policy, politics, legislation and regulation to make our members’ voices heard and respected. Dr. Boyle also wanted to set an example that if PDA wants to win it has to give generously to PADPAC. Thanks to his very generous contribution we are able to meet more legislators with more impact than ever before. When he calls or emails you and asks for your help, please respond generously and follow his example.
We fight against groups who want to reshape the legislative and regulatory landscape to harm you and your practice. They want to create legislation that has pitfalls for you, your patients and your practice. Contributing to PADPAC is the single best and most efficacious way to not just stop your adversaries but win the fight. By winning legislative battles in Harrisburg we make your life and practice at home easier. Your contribution can make us even more effective.
A long-time PADPAC Board member, Dr. Craig Eisenhart, has stepped down to concentrate on other things. We thank him for his service. Those in the profession owe him a debt of gratitude. He left PADPAC better than he found it due to his hard work and superlative knowledge. He played a big part in making PADPAC the significant dental advocacy lobbying force that it is.
Dr. Eisenhart ably passed the baton to Dr. Darleen Oleski. We welcome her as the new chair of PDA’ s Government Relations Committee( GRC). She will build on Dr. Eisenhart’ s success. Dr. Oleski has hit the ground running. She is a natural and she gets it. She understands that only a strong PAC can win the fights we are likely to face in the years to come. She will work hard for you.
Serving with her are two PADPAC Board members who don’ t shirk from the hard work and always look for ways to make your PAC better. Dr. Richard Clark of Second District and Dr. Matt Zale of Third District have helped build and sustain your PAC and we thank them for their continued leadership, their steady hand and their creative solutions.
Every member of the PADPAC Board is a dentist like you. They know how hard you work and how important it is to be prudent with your PAC contributions. We always make sure your money is spent wisely.
8 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2018 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL