ENT PAC: Building Invaluable Support for Key Academy Initiatives Impacting Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Paul Imber, DO, recently attended a political event for U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (R-Delaware) in her district on behalf of ENT PAC, the nonpartisan, issue-driven political action committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). Dr. Imber serves as the Chair of the ENT PAC Board of Advisors and is an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon who frequently treats patients from Representative Blunt Rochester’s district.

ENT PAC is the only political action committee solely focused on the federal legislative priorities of otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons. It is an invaluable tool that strengthens the overall legislative advocacy efforts of the AAO-HNS. By pooling resources from members of the Academy within the United States, ENT PAC provides a strong collective voice for the specialty on Capitol Hill.

Left Paul Imber, DO, with U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (R-Delaware)ENT PAC staff frequently attend political events on behalf of otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons to build relationships with federal policymakers and to support candidates who have championed the Academy’s issues. While most of these events usually take place in Washington, DC, many Members of Congress also hold in-district events.

At the September event, Dr. Imber was able to thank Representative Blunt Rochester in person for her consistent support of the specialty, particularly her cosponsorship in the current 117th Congress of H.R. 3173, legislation to reform the use of prior authorization under the Medicare Advantage program. This bipartisan legislation has already passed through the U.S. House of Representatives and awaits consideration in the Senate.

Dr. Imber was also able to discuss with Representative Blunt Rochester the likely impact of the looming January 1 cuts to Medicare physician reimbursement and how those cuts will impact Medicare beneficiaries and other patients the specialty treats. Shortly after Dr. Imber’s meeting with Representative Blunt Rochester, she cosponsored H.R. 8800, Academy-endorsed legislation that would avert these cuts. Given that Representative Blunt Rochester is an important member of one of the primary health policy committees in Congress, her support for this initiative is crucial.

ENT PAC supplements the Academy’s legislative health policy advocacy efforts and helps to increase the visibility of the specialty on Capitol Hill and with key policymakers. Each year, the ENT PAC Board of Advisors and staff identify Members of Congress, candidates, and committees who will champion the issues important to otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. As of November 1, ENT PAC has supported 14 candidates for federal office in 2022, including senior members of Congressional leadership and members of the committees with jurisdiction over federal health policy. 

The ENT PAC Board of Advisors and staff are grateful to all ENT PAC supporters, especially to the 50 investors who have pledged at least $1,000 to ENT PAC through the “First 50” campaign this year.  

If you are interested in learning more about ENT PAC, go to https://entpac.org or contact ENT PAC staff directly at entpac@entnet.org.