NAACOS Action Fund—Annual Report
The NAACOS Action Fund is a political action committee (PAC) that collects personal contributions from NAACOS members and staff to support congressional candidates who support value-based care. The PAC helps supplement NAACOS’ congressional advocacy by allowing NAACOS to interact directly with key members of Congress at political events and fundraisers.
Last year the ACO community had numerous wins with favorable updates to the MSSP, opportunities to join the revised ACO REACH model, and a one-year extension of advanced APM incentive payments at 3.5 percent. This year will be another crucial year for value-based care as Congress confronts misaligned incentives for moving to value. As the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) begins to unwind and the health care industry faces both rising health care costs and shrinking reimbursement, advocacy will be critical to supporting the work of ACOs. NAACOS stands ready to advocate for policies that support value-based care in 2023 and beyond.
A top priority in 2023 will be advancing legislation that continues to incent the movement to value. This will require significant engagement with our existing champions and building new congressional champions.
Our 2023 engagement plans include:
- A public relations campaign on the value of value,
- Engaging with lawmakers through campaign donations from the NAACOS Action Fund, and
- Strengthening our congressional outreach through virtual and in-person meetings.
NAACOS on the Hill
The NAACOS Action Fund
THE ACTION FUND AT WORK. In the last two election cycles, the PAC has helped NAACOS attend several important events with Rep. Richard Neal (the former chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee) and Sens. John Barrasso and Catherine Cortez Masto (both members of the Senate Finance Committee). These lawmakers played key roles in advocating for and securing an extension of value-based care incentives for APMs and ACOs. Attending these events helps our government affairs team develop relationships with lawmakers, support the reelection of value-based care champions in Congress, promote bipartisanship on issues that impact ACOs, and educate lawmakers about value-based care.
LOOKING AHEAD. There are hundreds of PACs that represent physicians, nurses, and health-related trade associations and companies. While some of these PACs may share common legislative interests, it’s important for NAACOS to have its own voice in this education process with Members of Congress. We are hopeful that Congress will spend time this year discussing and debating reforms that will strengthen Medicare’s payment system. ACOs must continue to be at the table for these discussions about value. The PAC helps ensure that seat, and support from NAACOS members is critical to its success.
CASH ON HAND. The Action Fund currently has $8,000 available. Typically, the minimum donation required to attend an event is $1,000 and $2,500 to host an event. For 2023 we are looking to expand our member fundraising and donor network so that our advocacy team can be more actively engaged with key lawmakers. Our goal is to host or attend campaign events for at least 10 members of Congress.
GETTING INVOLVED. Contributions to the PAC must be made by individuals since federal law prohibits corporate entities from contributing to PACs. To comply with federal election laws, NAACOS members who are the primary point of contact for NAACOS must sign a prior approval form before we can solicit or accept funds from you or senior executives at your organization. To raise meaningful funds for the NAACOS Action Fund, we need to be able to ask eligible members to contribute to the PAC—and we need your approval to do so. If you have not already done so, we ask that you review and consider signing the NAACOS Action Fund prior approval form.
Signing the form does not require you, or anyone at your ACO, to contribute. It simply allows us to communicate more regularly with you about the fund’s activities and plans. Prior approval must be granted in writing (paper or electronic) and can be made for up to five years in advance so that you do not have to complete a new prior approval form every year. Federal regulations allow organizations to grant prior approval to only one association’s PAC per calendar year. If you, or your organization, have already signed an approval form for another association, please contact the NAACOS staff for additional information on how you might be able to engage with the PAC going forward. Lastly, if you are signing the prior approval form for your organization, you can limit solicitations to only yourself or expand to other senior leaders within your organization.
NEW STEERING COMMITTEE. In 2023, NAACOS will be establishing a member-led steering committee that will help direct the activities of the PAC, including laying out a strategy for attending and hosting political fundraisers for key Members of Congress. The steering committee will help communicate with contributors and educate the broader NAACOS membership about the role of PACs and the importance of engagement.
For more information about the NAACOS Action Fund, contact us at [email protected] or 202-640-2648.