A Message from the AMPAC Chair
For over 60 years, AMPAC has proudly amplified the voice of medicine in Washington, thanks to dedicated supporters like you. As AMPAC’s first female Chair, I’m especially honored to continue our tradition of “firsts” and to highlight some of our most impactful milestones:
1961: AMPAC was established as the first non-union PAC, committed to the AMA’s advocacy mission.
1973: National Advocacy Conference: AMPAC founded this key event, where AMA members engage directly with Congress annually on critical issues.
1985: Our AMPAC campaign schools were the first of their kind, training over 1,900 AMA members and spouses, including three current physician members of Congress.
1978: Independent Expenditures (IEs): As the first association PAC to use IEs, AMPAC set a precedent for advocacy influence in elections.
1999: Capitol Club: Our high-donor memberships demonstrated a renewed commitment to AMA’s political advocacy.
AMPAC’s legacy of innovation continues as we adapt to meet new advocacy challenges. We’ve strengthened our board’s selection process, expanded fundraising training, enhanced our political education programs, upgraded donation interfaces, and, for the first time in over a decade, introduced a new Capitol Club giving level—Capitol Club Diamond at $5,000.
With unwavering support from members like you, AMPAC is making a lasting impact on issues that matter most to physicians and patients. Each election cycle, we produce a report detailing AMPAC’s role in supporting candidates, building relationships, and educating lawmakers. This report also recognizes key contributors and showcases the educational programs available to members.
While celebrating our achievements, we look ahead to strengthening AMPAC further. Your commitment has ensured that AMPAC remains a powerful resource for the AMA, helping elevate essential issues and supporting strong candidates for Congress—especially those in health professions who understand the challenges we face.
With gratitude,
Brooke Buckley, MD, MBA, FACS
2024 AMPAC Political Activity
In a deeply polarized electorate and in a highly competitive election cycle, AMPAC made an impactful mark on behalf of medicine investing nearly $2.4 million in the 2024 cycle. Republicans and Democrats underwent leadership changes in the House of Representatives in the 118th Congress. Despite a period of multiple, unprecedented leadership elections for the majority party in the House, AMPAC was able to successfully navigate a path forward with both political parties. Working with state medical society partners and AMA Congressional Affairs, AMPAC provided prime access opportunities to build relationships and help advance medicine’s legislative agenda with key decision makers in Congress on both sides of the aisle, strengthening many existing relationships and building new bonds with allies of medicine. Staff and physicians were able to inform members on the Hill and at home on issues of importance including Medicare physician payment reform, scope of practice, telemedicine, and prior authorization.
AMPAC spent more than $1.47 million in direct contributions to support 252 medicine-friendly House and Senate candidates from both political parties. These investments will continue to ensure that the AMA has a place at the table when important health care policy debates take place. Of the races that have been decided, 95% of AMPAC-supported candidates won election/reelection.
AMPAC also invested over $915,000 in independent expenditures in support of physician members of Congress running in two of the most competitive districts in the country this cycle: Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-IA) and Rep. Yadira Caraveo, MD (D-CO). AMPAC utilized a multi-media strategy to reach key demographics in each district to persuade voters to support these medicine-friendly candidates. Both candidates were worthy investments but unfortunately Rep. Caraveo was defeated by less than a percentage point. Rep. Miller-Meeks won by just 799 votes after a recount was completed nearly a month after the election.
The next Congress will include 5 new physician members of Congress, all supported by AMPAC, who will join the House of Representatives: Kelly Morrison, MD (D-MN), Bob Onder, MD (R-MO), Herb Conaway, MD (D-NJ), Maxine Dexter, MD (D-OR), and Mike Kennedy, MD (R-UT). The total number of physicians in Congress will rise to 21, the most since 1820.
2024 U.S. House of Representatives Summary
Republicans retained control of the House of Representatives by the narrowest of margins, despite two years of infighting and dysfunction that frequently descended the lower chamber into chaos, including the ousting of their Speaker. With every race officially decided, Democrats had a net gain of 1 seat but Republicans held onto the majority, 220-215, resulting in the closest margin since the Great Depression.
Republicans were able to flip three Democratic seats in North Carolina due to newly enacted congressional maps as well as seats in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Colorado, while Democrats won back Republican held seats in New York, California, and Oregon. Republicans had a strong showing in the presidential swing states of Michigan and Pennsylvania where former President Trump’s momentum carried down-ballot Republicans over the finish line.
Come January, the Republican House is expected to begin an aggressive legislative agenda encompassing tax, immigration and energy policies but must also address the federal debt limit. It remains to be seen if the new Republican conference remains fractured, or they agree to put differences aside and pass legislation. Speaker Johnson’s majority is expected to temporarily shrink for several weeks after two Republican House members have been nominated to join the Trump Administration and one has resigned, hampering his ability to move legislation until their seats are filled via special elections.
2024 U.S. Senate Summary
The Senate elections marked a power shift, as Republicans gained four seats to secure a 53-47 majority, reclaiming control of the Senate chamber. Democrats faced a daunting task of defending 23 of the 34 contested seats while Republicans, with only 11 seats to protect, flipped Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Democrats managed to retain seats in the other competitive battleground states of Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin where voters split their ticket between the White House and Senate. In other races thought to potentially be competitive, Democrats held Maryland and Republicans maintained their hold on seats in Florida, Nebraska, and Texas.
Senate Republicans have already held their leadership elections heading into the next Congress. Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY), the longest-serving Senate party leader in history, had previously announced he would step down. He’ll be succeeded by Sen. John Thune (SD).
AMPAC Fundraising
AMPAC is an essential part of the AMA’s advocacy efforts, giving physicians a direct way to support candidates for Congress who address issues critical to both doctors and their patients. For the second consecutive election cycle, AMPAC has seen growth in fundraising, with receipts exceeding $1.75 million this cycle—an eight percent increase from the previous cycle. Notably, hard dollar contributions rose by nine percent, directly funding candidate contributions and independent expenditures to support champions of medicine.
The Capitol Club, AMPAC’s major donor program, remains a key element of its fundraising success. Participation in the Capitol Club increased by three percent, and a new Diamond level, requiring an annual contribution of $5,000, was introduced at the AMA’s November Interim meeting. So far, nineteen members have joined the Diamond level for the 2025 membership year. This strong support, along with contributions from members nationwide, bolstered AMPAC’s success and increased overall revenue this election cycle.
AMPAC remains dedicated to its mission and depends on the support of all AMA members to stay competitive. We deeply appreciate your generous 2024 investment, which is crucial to our success in electing medical champions to Congress, and we look forward to your continued support in 2025.
AMPAC Political Education Programs
2024 was another landmark election in terms of physician candidates with over 60 physicians running for federal office at one point during the cycle. 2024 also saw 43 physicians, physician spouses, residents and students attend AMPAC’s Political Education Programs. In spring 2025, AMPAC will once again host the Candidate Workshop at the AMA offices in Washington, DC to help AMA members become more effective advocates for medicine. The dates for the 2025 Campaign School have not been announced but it will likely take place in late summer or early fall. AMPAC Political Education Programs are a benefit for AMA members, their spouses, and state medical society staff. For in-person meetings, faculty, materials, and all meals during the programs are covered by AMPAC. Participants are responsible for the registration fee, hotel accommodation and travel to and from Washington, DC. For more information, please visit https://ampaconline.org/political-education/candidate-workshop-and-campaign-school-application