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Trends in Contributions to the Osteopathic Political Action Committee: A Twenty-Two-Year Analysis

Journal: Journal of Osteopathic Medicine Date: 2023/12, 123(12):Pages: A96. doi: Subito , type of study: retrospective study

Full text    (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jom-2023-2000/html)

Keywords:

economics [30]
osteopathic physicians [163]
political action committee [1]
politics [7]
retrospective study [213]
USA [1086]

Abstract:

Statement of Significance: Healthcare policies significantly impact medical practitioners’ daily operations. Physician participation in politics is crucial to protecting their interests in healthcare legislation. With 11% of osteopathic physicians in the U.S[1], little is known about the political engagement of osteopathic physicians through the Osteopathic PAC (OPAC). OPAC is the sole political action committee representing the interests of osteopathic physicians at the federal level and is the political arm of AOIA[2]. This study aims to report on the regional distribution, historical trend, and general form of contributions made to the OPAC since the year 2000 to provide insight into the donation habits of osteopathic physicians. This information will allow for more accurate targeting of potential donors to increase the total funds available to OPAC for improved health policy advocacy. Research Methods: Using the search term “American Osteopathic Association,“ the public Federal Election Commission database[3-4] was searched for political contributions made by osteopathic physicians from 2000 to 2022 toward the Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OPAC). The data was then divided and analyzed further based on the contribution year and the geography of the contributing physician. Since all the data came from public sources, this study did not involve human subjects and did not require approval from an institutional review board or informed consent. Data Analysis: Between 2000 and 2022, osteopathic physicians contributed $5,944,999.36 to the Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OPAC). The average individual contribution by osteopathic physicians was $431.33. The highest amount of contributions were reported in 2012, with $326,068.10. There was no significant trend through the years in the total contribution amount. The states with the most contributions were Texas, Ohio, Michigan, and Florida, while Nebraska and Wyoming reported zero contributions toward OPAC. An average of 39.7% of OPAC funds were contributed to Democratic organizations. In comparison, an average of 60.3% of funds were contributed to Republican organizations. Conclusion: The political contributions of osteopathic physicians in the United States have remained constant throughout the last twenty-two years, with no changes over time. During the study period, contributions made by OPAC overall favored the Republican organizations. Our findings identify opportunities for growth in engagement with AOIA-OPAC within the osteopathic community. More research is necessary to determine how this participation leads to health policies representative of the osteopathic profession.


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