Republicans in Congress and the country’s leading lobby for doctors are at loggerheads over abortion, transgender care, climate policy, gun control and myriad other issues. But given Congress’ role in setting Medicare payment rates, the American Medical Association still needs the GOP. Daniel’s review of political contributions from the AMA’s political action committee shows how the group is trying to maintain good relations, even as it calls out Republicans for butting into medical decisions and downplaying public health threats. Money flow: In the 2021-22 cycle, AMPAC contributed nearly $350,000 to lawmakers given ratings of A or A+ by anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, according to Federal Election Commission data. Likewise, AMPAC contributed more than $26,000 to candidates who co-sponsored legislation to limit doctors’ ability to provide gender-affirming care. In the days after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, the AMA suggested that it might withhold contributions to Republicans who voted against certifying state results for the 2020 presidential election. At the time, the group added a note to its webpage explaining that “physicians abhor violence and were shocked and dismayed” by the insurrection, adding its political action committee would “include a review of the recent electoral college certification vote and the violent attacks” when donating to campaigns for the 2022 election. But in the 2021-22 cycle, AMPAC donated more than $110,000 to candidates who voted to sustain objections to the electoral votes in the 2020 election. The group also donated $25,000 to the leadership funds of Reps. Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise, who both voted to sustain objections to the election. Even so: Overall, AMPAC gave a record share of its contributions to Democrats — 61 percent, according to an analysis by Open Secrets. AMA President Jesse Ehrenfeld, an anesthesiologist, said that the AMA’s political action committee makes its own decisions and is led by its own board. He also said the AMA “will always stand up for the science” and the group continued to be “very effective at bringing people together” on policy matters. Dr. Brooke Buckley, AMPAC’s chair, said in an email she wasn’t permitted to speak on the issue and referred questions to the AMA.
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