ADVOCACY
ADVOCACYIS IT DEAD IN VIRGINIA?
WHERE WILL THE PROFESSION OF DENTISTRY GO? Bruce Hutchison, DDS, VDA PAC Chair
The GOOD news – the Virginia Dental Association’s political engagement is still one many other organizations look to as a model for how to effectively advocate for one’s profession in Virginia. The VERY BAD news – special interest enemies are catching up and rest assured our adversaries are taking notice of VDA PAC’s steady financial decline. Some startling numbers: • 10 years ago, VDA PAC raised $371,000 – this year we are only on pace for $250,000. This is a 35% decrease in the VDA PAC fundraising efforts!!! Have your problems with insurance companies decreased 35% over the last 10 years? • 10 years ago, VDA PAC spent $319,500 helping candidates in races across the Commonwealth – this year we will do less than $135,000. This is a 58% DECREASE! Meanwhile the cost of elections continues to skyrocket as out of state interests and other groups pour money into the state. VDA PAC should be spending MORE and not LESS!! • 10 years ago, our PAC cash balance was $766,000 – currently it is $566,000. This is a 26% decrease in our critical reserves available should we face a major legislative fight in the years ahead. I can assure you the chance of such a fight has only increased in recent years – especially on the mid-level provider and scope of practice fronts. This past August eight VCU dental students volunteered their time to call VDA members who had not yet given to VDA PAC. They made hundreds of calls. Most weren’t answered. The ones that were answered said it wasn’t a convenient time to talk. What does it take
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to get VDA members, members of the greatest profession, to contribute to their own success and to their own cause? We appreciate their efforts very much. I am so proud of these students and, frankly, so ashamed that my fellow dentists wouldn’t return the calls. We should be leading by example for those who follow. Is this the example of what we want? These students are bright and full of energy. I trust our profession is in good hands in the future. I hope we can leave them with a fighting chance.
Bottom line – threats are increasing while the financial health of VDA PAC is declining. Adversaries no doubt view the lack of PAC participation as weakness and apathy in our ranks – and TRUST me they are looking at it constantly. We MUST TURN this trend around immediately. EVERYONE needs to participate in VDA PAC and challenge all your colleagues to do the same! Please visit https://www.vadental.org/vda-pac to make a contribution today. Contact Laura Givens at givens@vadental.org with questions.
VDA PAC CONTRIBUTION UPDATE Component
% of 2021 Members Contributing to Date
2021 VDA PAC Goal
Amount Contributed to Date
Per Capita Contribution
% of Goal Achieved
1 (Tidewater)
34%
$45,500
$29,025
$285
64%
2 (Peninsula)
35%
$27,500
$16,475
$300
60%
3 (Southside)
33%
$14,000
$8,095
$261
58%
4 (Richmond)
27%
$67,750
$49,285
$314
73%
5 (Piedmont)
34%
$30,000
$20,675
$276
69%
6 (Southwest VA)
42%
$25,250
$15,800
$295
63%
7 (Shenandoah Valley)
30%
$30,000
$22,155
$295
74%
8 (Northern VA)
27%
$135,000
$80,115
$276
59%
TOTAL
33%
$375,000
$241,625
$288
65%
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS: $241,625 2021 GOAL: $375,000
WE NEED YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO RAISE
$133,375
