The NJAPAC was registered
with the State of New Jersey on January 25, 1997. Officers listed with the State were:
Ervin Moss, M.D. Chairman
Scott Hernberg, D.O. Vice Chairman
Linda Bartolo Treasurer
John Fanburg Esq. of the firm of Brach Eichler
is listed as the "Agent", Beverly Lynch as the Lobbyist, and Linda Bartolo
as the Executive Director/Assistant Treasurer.
The NJAPAC office was listed as 14 Washington Road, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550. In 2000
it was moved to 2 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ, and in 2002 it was moved to 3 Regent
Street, Livingston, NJ, 07039, and then moved to 26 Eastmans Road,
Livingston, NJ 07054. The Success Communications Group serves as management of business
affairs.
Background of PACS
"PAC" is a term for a political organization established for the purpose of
raising and spending money to elect or defeat candidates. Although most PACs represent
business, labor or ideological interests, more and more branches of Medicine have created
PACs in order to bring to the political arena their viewpoints and special interests and
remain within the law. The rise of Managed Health Care, Medicare and Medicaid policies and
the widening scope of practice issues has resulted in physicians entering the political
mainstream by voicing their support or protests through the financial power of PACs.
Labor unions formed PACs in the 1940s to support Franklin D. Roosevelt. Corporations were
barred from doing so until the FINANCIAL CAMPAIGN ACT of 1971 (FECA). FECA changed the way
political money is raised and resulted in an enormous increase in the number of PACs and
the amount of money spent during elections.
NJAPAC Purpose
The goal of the NJAPAC is to support the medical practice of Anesthesiology and the
anesthesiology profession in the State of New Jersey. The NJAPAC will support the
nomination and election and reelection of candidates to New Jersey state offices whose
philosophy is consistent with the mission, goals and objectives of anesthesiologists in
New Jersey.
NJAPAC funds will be used to those seeking
office and holding office who recognize Anesthesiology as the Practice of Medicine, and
support the prime objective of New Jersey anesthesiologist and that is Patient Safety and
equal quality care to all no matter race, color, religion or financial ability to pay.
Nevertheless, PAC funds will be used to correct the injustice in anesthesia reimbursement
exemplified by the Medicaid anesthesia fees, the lowest in the nation.
NJAPAC Fund Raising
Since 1997 there have been 5 active fund drives with many groups and
individuals contributing $1000 per person. Unsolicited contributions between
fund drives were common.
Rules on Contributions to the NJAPAC
Contributions are not tax deductible. There is no limit as to what an individual can
contribute to a PAC. PAC laws differ from State to State.
An individual can contribute directly to a Candidate but it cannot exceed $2600 per
election cycle. An election cycle is both the primary and general elections.
A Professional Corporation of Anesthesiologists can contribute $7200 to a PAC.
A PAC is limited to $7200 per candidate per election cycle and $8200 per
election.
Quarterly reports are made to the Election Law Enforcement Commission in which all
contributions received over $300 are listed as well as all contributions to candidates.
You may make a contribution to the NJAPAC at any time. The check should be
made out to the New Jersey Anesthesia PAC and mailed to 26 Eastmans Road,
Livingston, NJ 07054.
Durgesh Mankikar, MD,
Co-Chair
Nancy Staats, MD, Co-Chair |
