GIPAC has been actively involved in the campaign season leading up to the fall 2010 elections. With the passage of health reform, and the forthcoming regulations stemming from the health reform legislation, I urge you to continue supporting our mission.

The health reform law, the economy, and other events have really clouded the political landscape leading up to the fall 2010 elections. There are many tight races this year, and with your continued support, GIPAC hopes to take advantage of the tight public polling data and competitive races. Thanks to you we have made tremendous strides this year in advocating our issues to legislators. We intend to use this momentum heading into the fall.

In July, GIPAC hosted a breakfast for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in Washington D.C. This was a very successful fundraising event for Sen. Graham and his PAC. The audience consisted of only gastroenterologists so we were able to focus on the issues facing our profession. Sen. Graham also provided insight into the upcoming elections and legislation slated for next year. Sen. Graham has long supported the GI profession and is the sponsor of legislation that increases reimbursement for colorectal screening screenings and waives Medicare beneficiary cost-sharing for those screenings turning into therapeutic/diagnostic procedures: two issues that the health reform law neglected to address. The Supporting ColoRectal Cancer Examination and Education Now or SCREEN Act (S. 1511) was also sponsored by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD). Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) introduced the companion bill in the House (HR 3559).

This summer GIPAC attended two fundraisers for Richard Blumenthal (D), one in Connecticut and one in Washington D.C. The Connecticut Attorney General is running to fill the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Chris Dodd (D). He is also the brother of Dr. David Blumenthal, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This agency tasked with certifying electronic health record products and implementing the federal regulations on health information technology and "meaningful use." GIPAC also attended an event to support Gov. Joe Manchin's (D) U.S. Senate bid. The current Governor of West Virginia is the favorite to fill the seat formerly held by Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D), the longest serving senator in U.S. history who passed away in June after serving in the U.S. Senate for over 50 years. This event was hosted by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), the Chairman of the influential Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health, so we were able to discuss our issues with potentially two senators at one event.

GIPAC has been active on the House-side of the Capitol this summer as well. GIPAC participated in a fundraiser for Rep. Eric Cantor's Every Republican Is Crucial (ERIC) PAC. Rep. Cantor (R-VA) is viewed by many as a rising Republican star in the House of Representatives and currently serves as the Republican Whip for House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH). Rep. Cantor is also a member of the Committee on Ways & Means, one of the two committees in the House with jurisdiction in Medicare and other health care legislation. ERIC PAC has been instrumental in providing support for Republicans hoping to regain the majority in the House next year.

GIPAC is thankful for your contributions and support. Please continue to help make GIPAC a voice on Capitol Hill.

We are in election season crunch-time and your support now is more crucial than ever.

www.gipac.org

Harry Sarles, Jr., MD, FACG
President
GIPAC
GIPAC.org