ABOUT GIPAC GIPAC is the political action committee (PAC) for clinical gastroenterologists and gastrointestinal specialists. We are a bipartisan federal PAC that supports legislators demonstrating an interest in the issues and challenges facing our practices and patients. It is important to note that GIPAC is an issue-specific PAC: While our members may have diverse political opinions, we agree that it is necessary to support those willing to champion the legislative causes important to our profession. GIPAC is always looking to be involved in a federal campaign. If you wish to have GIPAC support a member of Congress, or candidate for federal office, please contact GIPAC leadership. Please visit www.gipac.org to make a contribution. REP. CHARLES GONZALEZ EVENT GIPAC thanks everyone who attended or donated to the “Meet & Greet with Rep. Charles Gonzalez” on October 17, 2010. The event gave GIPAC members unfettered access to Rep. Gonzalez and his thoughts on the upcoming elections, next year’s political environment, as well as what clinical GI can do to achieve legislative success on Capitol Hill. This limited audience and informal setting of fundraising is a GIPAC favorite because it enables you, the participant and contributor, to control the discussion and agenda. We raised over $10,000 for Rep. Gonzalez’s campaign. The success of this GIPAC event would not be possible without your efforts, participation, and generous contributions. Along with the successful fundraiser GIPAC held for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), we hope to continue this momentum and create a buzz among members of Congress that a GIPAC event is one well worth their time. We will make this happen with your support. UPDATE FROM WASHINGTON D.C. GIPAC was very active this fall as campaigns ramped up fundraising efforts in the final push to next week’s elections. While GIPAC members may have diverse political opinions, your generosity allowed us to support candidates willing help champion our common interests as practicing gastrointestinal specialists. GIPAC attended campaign events for Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI), Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), Pat Meehan for Congress (R-PA), Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), and Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV). GIPAC also made additional contributions and attended events for Rep. Tom Price, MD (R-GA) and Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND). Rep. Camp is currently the ranking member of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee and is expected to become chairman if Republicans take over the majority next year. This committee has jurisdiction over health care and Medicare issues such as provider reimbursement. Rep. Allyson Schwartz also sits on the House Ways & Means Committee. Rep. Schwartz has long supported clinical gastroenterology and our legislative agenda. Pat Meehan is running for the open House seat in PA-07 and is one of the original “Young Guns” of candidates endorsed by the National Republican Congressional Committee. He is a former U.S. Attorney and ice hockey referee so is well equipped to handle the fracas on the House floor and fight for the GI clinician. Sen. Richard Burr sits on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. He is actively involved in health care issues and the ongoing health reform debate. Sen. Burr is expected to win reelection this year and is considered an up-and-comer among Republicans in the U.S. Senate. Sen. Harry Reid is the current Senate Majority Leader who is in a widely publicized reelection bid. GIPAC supports his campaign because he has been a longtime friend of clinical gastroenterology throughout his tenure in the Senate and in Senate Leadership roles. GIPAC also made additional contributions to Rep. Tom Price’s PAC and Rep. Earl Pomeroy’s bid for reelection. Rep. Price is an orthopedic surgeon and a leading voice for House Republicans on health care issues and provider reimbursement. Rep. Pomeroy finds himself in a tight reelection bid in North Dakota. However, he is positioned to help further our legislative mission as another member sitting on the House Ways & Means Committee for whom GIPAC supports. With the passage of health reform, and the forthcoming regulations stemming from the health reform law, I urge you to continue supporting our mission. Thanks to you we have made tremendous strides this election cycle in raising money and advocating our issues to legislators. However, clinical GI must compete with the larger PACs of other medical societies and organizations. Please continue to help make GIPAC a stronger voice on Capitol Hill. GIPAC is thankful for your contributions and support. Please remember to vote on November 2, 2010. Donate today! www.gipac.org Regards, Harry Sarles, Jr., MD, FACG President GIPAC GIPAC.org