The PAMPAC Pulse - March 2024

A message from PAMPAC’s Chair

I am honored to be serving as PAMPAC chair.  I want to thank those of you who already generously support PAMPAC. Optimally, we would like to have all physicians become PAMPAC contributors, understanding that PAMPAC's strength comes solely from physicians like you.  PAMPAC’s strength helps our profession and our patients.

You may have hesitations contributing to a PAC, especially in the divisive political times in which we now live.  But regardless of our political leanings, there are basic things on which physicians agree:

• We want to see our patients have better access to medical care delivered by MD and DO physicians.
• We want time to build trusted relationships with our patients.
• We want our profession sustained; we are physicians, but we are also patients, and we have family and friends who will need quality medicine in the future.

 Many of you may not know that PAMPAC is non-partisan. It's refreshing to join and discover that PAMPAC builds relationships on both sides of the aisle.  Our voices and patient stories from the various perspectives of our specialty and our practice settings help all legislators “take a walk in our shoes.”  It may also be helpful for you to know that 100% of any contribution you make goes directly to candidate support.

I hope that you have taken the time to engage in the political process by meeting with your local state representative and senator.  While legislators are always happy to hear from physicians, when they know you’re associated with PAMED and PAMPAC, the welcome is even more robust, given the work our staff does to foster relationships in Harrisburg.  PAMPAC functions as the muscle behind PAMED.  While no legislator supports us 100% of the time, we focus our financial support on those who are consistent in understanding that the future of healthcare must be led by physicians.

I hope you’ll help PAMPAC grow in 2024.  Be generous…please.  Our profession needs your help.

Thank you.

Marion Mass, MD

Important Primary Election Information

Pennsylvania’s primary election will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.  The deadline for registering to vote is April 8, 2024.  If you aren’t yet registered, please use the following link to do so.  Voter Registration Application (pa.gov)

Additional information:

• The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot is April 16, 2024.
• Absentee ballots must be received by April 23, 2024.
• Individuals wishing to “Vote by Mail” or “Absentee Ballot” can apply using the following link.  Vote by Mail or Absentee-Ballot

Pennsylvania’s Political Landscape—2024

If you didn’t already know it, it’s an election year.  And yes, much of the focus this year will be the race for the white house and who controls congress.  Although politics at the national level will captivate our attention, Pennsylvania politics will be equally exciting.  While the keystone state isn’t a national “bellwether”—that honor goes to our neighbor to the west—we will see a number of very competitive legislative races that could upset the current balance of power in the House of Representatives.

At present, republicans have the upper hand in the state senate by a 28-22 margin while democrats in the state house are hanging onto a razor thin 100-102 majority.  Democrats will maintain this two-seat advantage until a special election is held in April to replace Rep. Joe Adams (R-Wayne/Pike) who resigned in early February because of a family medical issue.  Given that Rep. Adams had defeated his democrat opponent in 2022 by a 63-37, its likely that the seat will remain in republican control, further straining the democrat’s majority.

Much like the US Congress, our state legislature has struggled to find its footing given the divisions that exist between the two chambers.  To their collective credit, legislative leaders from both chambers recognize that the “sweet spot” lies somewhere close to the middle…on most issues.  Thus far, only 66 bills have been signed into law this legislative session, a significant change from previous sessions.  The appropriations committees in both chambers recently wrapped-up the budget hearing process as both chambers are slated to return to Harrisburg during the week of March 18^th.  Expect a flurry of activity in the coming months as lawmakers begin positioning bills for final passage during the run up to budget negotiations in June.

Turning to political campaigns, PAMPAC expects to be engaged in a number of key races in 2024 given the announced retirements of 3 state senators and 17 state representatives.  Several of these “retiring” lawmakers are either vying for different legislative seats or have their sights on statewide offices.  Either way, there will be a lot of vacancies to fill.  Over the years, PAMPAC has developed strong relationships with these seasoned lawmakers and will miss the support they have given us over the years.

In the coming months, we will be analyzing all of the legislative races to determine where PAMPAC’s financial support will have the most impact.  The priority will be to help “friendly” incumbents who are facing formidable challengers.  Of course, we will also be evaluating those candidates competing to fill vacancies.  Either way, PAMPAC’s ability to positively impact legislative races rests solely on the support physician contributors.

Listed below are those incumbent legislators who are not seeking reelection or are pursuing other seats/offices.

Not seeking re-election:

• Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny), State Senate – D45
• Sen. John DiSanto (R- Dauphin), State Senate – D15
• Sen. Mike Regan (R-Cumberland), State Senate – D31
• Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmorland), House of Representatives – D56
• Rep. Paul Schemel (R – Franklin), State House of Representatives – D90
• Rep. Jim Marshall (R – Beaver), State House of Representatives – D14
• Rep. Mark Rozzi (D – Berks), State House of Representatives – D126
• Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion), State House of Representatives – D63
• Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne), State House of Representatives – D120
• Rep. Stephen Kinsey (D-Philadelphia) State House of Representatives – D201
• Rep. Barry Jozwiak (R-Berks), State House of Representatives – D5
  

Seeking different seats/offices

• Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh), Running for U.S. Congrerss-District 7
• Rep. Rob Mercuri (R-Allegheny), Running for U.S. Congrerss-District 17
• Rep. Jarred Solomon (D-Philadelphia), Running for State Attorney General
• Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware), Running for State Attorney General
• Rep. Malcom Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia), Running for State Auditor General
• Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie), Running for State Treasurer
• Rep. Dawn Keefer (R-York), Running for State Senate-District 31
• Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin), Running for State Senate-District 15
• Rep. Nick Pisciottano (D-West Mifflin), Running for State Senate-District 45
  

Members who resigned from office

Rep. Joe Adams (R-Wayne) – District 139)

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