HEALTHPAC Serves As Investment In Future Of Hospitals, Health Care

The Missouri Hospital Association’s political action committee, HEALTHPAC, is one of the most effective ways to ensure hospitals have a united voice when decisions are made impacting the delivery of health care in Missouri.  

While no statewide elections will take place in 2025, raising funds for HEALTHPAC is still important this year. 

“Each election cycle is two years,” said Jane Drummond, MHA’s general counsel and senior vice president of governmental relations. “There are contribution limits for the primary and general elections. If we only collected HEALTHPAC contributions during election years, we would not have enough funding to meet our contribution goals for the two-year cycle.” 

In addition, since a short window exists between primaries and the general election, Drummond said contributions raised during nonelection years can be used in the primary races. Then, contributions made during an election year can be used to support candidates in the general election. 

2025 fundraising goal 

The 2025 HEALTHPAC campaign is currently underway and runs through Sept. 30. The goal is to raise $165,000 in contributions this year.

In addition, goals are set for each hospital and health system. Because each member hospital and health system benefits from the PAC funds raised, it is essential that each member does its part to meet fundraising goals.  

Each hospital’s goal is based on their number of full-time equivalent staff. To meet this goal, MHA suggests that each solicitable individual contribute 1/10 of 1% of their salary, said Christy Carel, MHA’s director of membership services. For example, a leader who makes $100,000 annually is suggested to contribute $100.  

How to contribute to HEALTHPAC 

Hospital leaders can contribute to HEALTHPAC in two ways — online or by check. 

• Make a credit card contribution online. 

• To contribute by check, use this form. Make checks payable to HEALTHPAC. Submit forms and checks with a transmittal form. 

How HEALTHPAC contributions are used 

PACs are critical components of MHA’s advocacy efforts. Contributions made to HEALTHPAC go toward supporting candidates in elections for state representative, state senator and the governor, among others. 

In 2024, a total of 378 donors contributed $145,034 to HEALTHPAC. The funds raised were used to support 172 different candidates. 

“We target our contributions to candidates who either have a track record of supporting MHA and our issues, or who we believe will be supportive once elected,” Drummond said.  

Legislators in leadership positions (e.g., Senate president pro tem, House speaker, floor leaders) are often prioritized when deciding which candidates to support, according to Drummond. 

“These individuals have tremendous influence over the legislative process, including the composition of committees, committees to which bills are referred … and whether the bills will be debated on the floor,” she said.  

The chairs and vice chairs of committees to which bills are likely to be referred also are given preference.  

For statewide offices, contributions are usually given to candidates for governor, secretary of state and attorney general since MHA and its members interact the most with agencies under those officeholders.  

“This past year, we endorsed a gubernatorial candidate in the primary for the first time because we believed hospitals would stand to be harmed if one of the other candidates were elected,” Drummond said.  

HEALTHPAC contributions help MHA establish the relationships needed to be consulted when decisions are being made about health care policy and legislation. 

“Thanks to HEALTHPAC contributions, we get to know elected officials individually and are able to communicate with them one-on-one about our issues,” Drummond said. “Candidates, especially those in their first race or in a tough race, remember who supported them, which fosters good relationships with elected officials.” 

Once MHA has established relationships with elected officials, “we are looked upon as a trusted partner in developing policies that are good for the state,” Drummond said. “Elected officials, even those we support, may not always vote how we want them to on a particular bill. However, if we have supported a candidate, they are likely to listen to our position and try to help us find a compromise that works.” 

Additionally, MHA is not the only organization trying to influence lawmakers. Other health industry stakeholders, including insurance companies, drug manufacturers, physicians, trial attorneys and consumer groups, also have PACs and the power to persuade elected officials. 

“We need the resources to compete with groups that spread misinformation about our issues, oppose our efforts and file legislation that is harmful to hospitals and their patients,” Drummond said.  

HEALTHPAC contributions are not usually used in issue campaigns, such as support of or opposition to ballot initiatives, unless the issue would have a significant impact on member hospitals, such as Medicaid expansion. 

AHAPAC 

In addition to HEALTHPAC, MHA partners with the American Hospital Association for the AHAPAC, which allows eligible hospital leaders to make voluntary donations toward the support of federal candidates of both political parties who support the hospital policy agenda. 

AHAPAC is bipartisan, working with state hospital associations and others. MHA’s goal for AHAPAC in 2025 is $52,700. Hospital leaders can contribute to AHAPAC in the following ways. 

• Make a credit card contribution online. 

• To contribute by check, use this form. Make checks payable to AHAPAC. Submit forms and checks with a transmittal form. 

New AHAPAC donors can contact Christy Carel to setup an AHAPAC account.  

Learn more 

For more information about HEALTHPAC, including campaign resources, such as a brochure and toolkit, or to make a contribution, visit MHA’s website.  

Disclaimer 

HEALTHPAC can accept personal contributions. It also can accept corporate contributions but only from for-profit entities. These for-profit corporations must operate under a valid certificate of authority issued by the Missouri Secretary of State. Limited liability companies that have not elected to be classified as a corporation under federal tax law may contribute to HEALTHPAC, provided they have been in existence for one year and registered with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Federal law prohibits corporate contributions by not-for-profit, tax-exempt organizations. Public hospitals also are prohibited by state law from making corporate contributions to political action committees. 

Contributions to HEALTHPAC are not tax deductible. State laws require us to use our best efforts to collect and report certain information about donors. 

Certain limited liability companies must register with the Missouri Ethics Commission before making contributions to Missouri campaign finance committees.