Isabella Carter
The American Medical Association (AMA) is a lucrative lobbying organization that has contributed significantly to political campaigns, particularly those of federal candidates. Since 1998, the AMA has donated over $12 million to such campaigns, with a notable bias towards Republican candidates. The AMA's political action committee, AMPAC, plays a crucial role in this process, raising and spending money to support or defeat candidates. These contributions have had a significant impact on health care policy, including opposition to universal healthcare and health care reform. The AMA also provides workshops and training to physicians aspiring to enter politics, further extending its influence in the political arena.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total amount spent on political campaigns since 1998 | $12 million |
| Percentage of donations to Republicans since 1998 | 64% |
| Leading Senate-side recipient of campaign contributions since 1998 | John Ensign of Nevada ($30,000) |
| Amount given to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell | $20,000 |
| Amount given to Ted Kennedy | $3,000 |
| Amount given to former Senator Hillary Clinton | $4,000 |
| Amount given to Ron Wyden of Oregon | $12,800 |
| Amount given to Max Baucus of Montana | $15,000 |
| Amount given to the 66 Senators who voted to pass the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) | $280,485 |
| Amount given to the 32 Senators who opposed SCHIP | $374,745 |
| Amount spent by PACs during the first 12 months of the 2024 election cycle | $3.1 billion |
| Amount spent by Congressional candidates during the first 12 months of the 2024 election cycle | $718.7 million |
| Amount spent by political parties during the first 12 months of the 2024 election cycle | $595 million |
| Amount spent by Presidential candidates during the first 12 months of the 2024 election cycle | $270.8 million |
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What You'll Learn
- The AMA's spending on political campaigns is part of a long history of medical associations lobbying politicians in the US
- AMA's spending on political campaigns includes donations to federal candidates, with the majority going to Republicans
- AMA has donated to opponents of health care reform, including Senate Republican Policy Committee chairman John Ensign
- AMA's political spending also includes funding for workshops and schools to educate physicians about politics and campaigns
- AMA's spending on political campaigns is part of a broader trend of medical associations donating to election campaigns to shape public policy
The AMA's spending on political campaigns is part of a long history of medical associations lobbying politicians in the US
The American Medical Association (AMA) has a long history of involvement in politics and lobbying politicians in the US. Since 1998, the organisation has given more than $12 million in campaign contributions to federal candidates, with the majority of its donations going to Republicans. This is in line with other medical associations, which commonly lobby politicians and donate to election campaigns, and the AMA's spending on political campaigns is an extension of this tradition.
The AMA's political action committee, AMPAC, is a powerful tool for the organisation's political involvement. AMPAC's primary function is to raise and spend money to support or defeat federal candidates. The committee also works to educate and train physicians on how to run for office and get involved in political campaigns. This includes workshops and schools that provide strategic advice and expertise on running a successful campaign.
The AMA's spending on political campaigns has had a significant impact on healthcare policy in the US. For example, the organisation has long donated to opponents of healthcare reform. After his election in 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt faced opposition from the AMA regarding universal healthcare, and as a result, he chose to abandon his pursuit of universal healthcare coverage. The AMA has also been involved in more recent healthcare debates, such as the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), where the organisation gave money to Senators who voted against the program.
The AMA's spending on political campaigns is part of a broader context of medical associations lobbying politicians and shaping public policy in the US. Nonprofit medical associations, in particular, often play a major role in influencing public policy related to their fields. This influence is achieved through lobbying, fundraising, and donating to election campaigns, with those associations that spend more on these activities having a greater impact on policy. The AMA's political spending is, therefore, a strategic investment in shaping healthcare policy and advancing the organisation's interests.
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AMA's spending on political campaigns includes donations to federal candidates, with the majority going to Republicans
The American Medical Association (AMA) has a bipartisan political action committee called AMPAC, which is focused on addressing the issues important to the association. AMPAC's political education function includes a candidate workshop and a campaign school, which help train physicians on how to run for office and get involved in political campaigns.
By contrast, the AMA has given far less to Democrats, with only $3,000 going to Ted Kennedy, $4,000 to former Senator Hillary Clinton, and nothing to Majority Leader Harry Reid. President Obama and Vice President Biden also received no contributions from the AMA before taking office. However, the AMA has given more generously to some other Democrats who are key players in healthcare reform, such as Ron Wyden of Oregon ($12,800) and Max Baucus of Montana ($15,000).
In addition to contributing to candidates, AMA also spends money on lobbying. For example, the AMA has given a total of $280,485 to the 66 Senators who voted to pass the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and $374,745 to the 32 Senators who opposed it. This disparity in giving is also seen in the Senate, where almost four-fifths of the AMA's donations have gone to Republican candidates.
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AMA has donated to opponents of health care reform, including Senate Republican Policy Committee chairman John Ensign
The American Medical Association (AMA) has been a powerful opponent of health care reform. Since 1998, the AMA has donated over $12 million to federal candidates, with a large majority of these donations going to Republicans.
The AMA's political action committee has been a significant contributor to the campaigns of those opposing health care reform. One notable example is the organisation's support for John Ensign, a former senator from Nevada who served from 2001 until his resignation in 2011. Ensign, a member of the Republican Party, was the leading recipient of AMA contributions since 1998, receiving $30,000. Ensign served as the chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee and was a vocal opponent of health care reform.
Ensign's voting record reflects his stance against health care reform. He voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in December 2009 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. In addition, Ensign used the "secret hold" rule to prevent a bill requiring senators to file fundraising reports electronically from being voted on. Instead, he insisted that his amendment to strengthen disclosure rules be voted on first.
The AMA's support for Ensign is indicative of its broader pattern of donations. The organisation has consistently donated to opponents of health care reform, including Senate Republicans. This is particularly notable given the Senate's role in passing health care legislation. While the AMA has also donated to some Democrats who are key players in health care reform, such as Ron Wyden and Max Baucus, the disparity in donation amounts is significant.
The AMA's political spending extends beyond just campaign contributions. The organisation has also contributed significantly to the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Since 1998, the AMA has given $280,485 to the 66 Senators who voted to pass SCHIP, while providing $374,745 to the 32 Senators who opposed it. This pattern of funding highlights the AMA's strategic approach to influencing health care policy.
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AMA's political spending also includes funding for workshops and schools to educate physicians about politics and campaigns
The American Medical Association (AMA) spends money on political campaigns by contributing to candidates and committees, with a focus on influencing health care policy. Since 1998, the AMA has donated over $12 million to federal candidates, with a majority of contributions going to Republicans. The AMA's political spending also includes funding for workshops and schools to educate physicians about politics and campaigns.
The AMA's Political Action Committee, AMPAC, is a bipartisan committee that works to educate and empower physicians to get involved in politics and run for office. AMPAC holds several workshops and training programs each year, including the AMPAC Candidate Workshop and the AMPAC Campaign School. These programs provide politically-minded physicians with the tools and strategies they need to run effective campaigns and make a successful run for public office. The workshops bring together experts and political veterans from both ends of the political spectrum to offer insider tactics and expert advice.
The Candidate Workshop is a two-day in-person program that helps physicians transition from the exam room to the campaign trail. It covers topics such as developing a strategic approach, fundraising, and navigating the complexities of political campaigns. The Campaign School, on the other hand, focuses on the broader aspects of politics and how physicians can influence policy and advocacy.
By participating in these workshops and schools, physicians can gain a better understanding of the political landscape and become more effective advocates for issues that are important to them and their patients. This includes influencing health care legislation, advocating for smarter solutions to healthcare challenges, and building relationships with policymakers to advance shared agendas.
The AMA's political spending on these educational initiatives is an investment in empowering physicians to become actively involved in shaping the policies that impact their profession and the well-being of their patients.
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AMA's spending on political campaigns is part of a broader trend of medical associations donating to election campaigns to shape public policy
The American Medical Association (AMA) has been an active participant in political campaigns, with a history of donating to opponents of healthcare reform. Since 1998, the organization has contributed over $12 million to federal candidates, with a notable bias towards Republicans. This trend of medical associations influencing public policy is not new, as Franklin D. Roosevelt faced opposition from the AMA after his election in 1932, causing him to abandon his pursuit of universal healthcare coverage.
AMA's spending on political campaigns is part of a broader trend of medical associations shaping public policy through lobbying, fundraising, and donating to election campaigns. Nonprofit medical associations, in particular, have been known to play a significant role in this regard. Kakkilaya et al.'s research compared the American Optometric Association (AOA), the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and found that the organizations that spent more on lobbying, fundraising, and donating to federal electoral campaigns had a greater influence on shaping public policy.
The AMA's political action committee, AMPAC, is another avenue through which the association influences policy. AMPAC, a bipartisan committee, educates and trains physicians on running for office and navigating the political landscape. The committee holds workshops and schools to prepare physicians for the political arena, ensuring that the AMA's interests are represented in legislative roles.
Furthermore, the AMA's spending on political campaigns is reflected in the broader trend of medical associations' financial involvement in elections. During the 2023-2024 election cycle, political action committees (PACs) raised and spent significant amounts, with PACs connected to corporations or labor organizations raising $3.7 billion and spending $3.1 billion. This showcases the extensive financial resources that medical associations, along with other entities, can bring to bear in shaping election outcomes and, consequently, public policy.
In conclusion, AMA's spending on political campaigns is indeed part of a broader phenomenon where medical associations, through lobbying, fundraising, and donations, seek to influence public policy. The financial muscle flexed by these associations, as evidenced by the substantial amounts raised and spent by PACs, underscores their determination to shape the political landscape in their respective fields.
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Frequently asked questions
The AMA has given more than $12 million in campaign contributions to federal candidates since 1998.
The AMA gave $280,485 to the 66 Senators who voted to pass the Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
The AMA gave $374,745 to the 32 Senators who opposed SCHIP.
