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ADVOCACY

for physicians hosting events and fundraisers for their elected offi- TEXPAC leaders encourage county medical societies to interview
cials or candidates. all local candidates running for office, then give TEXPAC their rec-
ommendation for endorsement. TEXPAC also encourages county
ENDORSING CANDIDATES societies to conduct letter-writing campaigns to the TEXPAC board
TEXPAC’s diverse board of physician leaders represents different in which physicians explain why they support the candidate they
believe is the most qualified. These letters are invaluable to TEX-
geographical areas, practice types and political philosophies. The PAC and help the board make the right endorsements.
board makes endorsement decisions by democratic vote to repre-
sent TEXPAC’s varied political membership. TEXPAC endorses What about candidates and officials who do not support TMA’s
candidates based on their public record of standing up for medi- legislative agenda? TEXPAC encourages local physicians to meet
cine’s issues, and a combination of subjective and objective scores, with them and use their poor voting record as an opportunity to
not by their party. With 59 Republicans and 55 Democrats en- educate them on issues important to the doctors and patients they
dorsed in the Texas House during the 2014 election, it is clear the represent.
approach is not party-driven. TEXPAC does not endorse candidates
simply because they are incumbents. The candidate must have a TMA and TMA Alliance members may choose from various
proven record of supporting medicine. membership levels in TEXPAC. For information, call 800-880-
1300, ext. 1361.

Voluntary contributions by individuals to TEXPAC should be written on personal checks. Funds attributed to individuals or professional associations (PAs) that would exceed
federal contribution limits will be placed in the TEXPAC statewide account to support nonfederal political candidates. Contributions are not limited to the suggested amounts.
TEXPAC will not favor or disadvantage anyone based on the amounts or failure to make contributions. Contributions used for federal purposes are subject to the prohibitions and
limitations of the Federal Election Campaign Act.

Contributions or gifts to TEXPAC or any county medical society PAC are not deductible as charitable contributions or business expenses for federal income tax purposes.
Federal law requires TEXPAC to use its best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions
exceed $200 in a calendar year. To satisfy this regulation, please include your occupation and employer information in the space provided. Contributions from a practice business
account must disclose the name of the practice and the allocation of contributions for each contributing owner. For more information, call TEXPAC at 512-370-1363.

BCMS physicians visit with newly Representing BCMS during the visit us at www.bcms.org 31
elected State Rep. Rick Galindo (seated at Feb. 3 TMA and Border Health
desk), who represents House District 117, Caucus news conference on Medi-
during the Feb. 3 First Tuesdays. caid issues is Michael Battista, MD.