What is FRIENDS OF MISSISSIPPI HOSPITALS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE?

The FRIENDS OF MISSISSIPPI HOSPITALS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE is a non-partisan political voice for Mississippi hospitals created to preserve quality health care. Mississippi Hospital Association PAC was founded in 1984 to help encourage a stronger advocacy role and to achieve greater political influence in Mississippi. Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC is an independent, non-profit organization. It is not affiliated with any political party. Participation in Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC is voluntary.

Why does Mississippi Hospital Association need a political action committee?

In Congress and across the country, health care issues have moved to the forefront of the legislative debate. Whether the issues involve Medicare and Medicaid funding, provider taxes, prescription drugs or medical malpractice, elected officials in Jackson and Washington, D.C. are looking for ways to control escalating costs of health care services, while at the same time ensuring continued quality. 

It is imperative that MHA, as a voice for Mississippi hospitals, be able to provide our perspective to legislators on laws and regulations that promise to affect our membership. Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC serves on the state level as one vital mechanism in these efforts.

The fundamental purpose of Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC is to provide MHA with an additional tool to complement our legislative advocacy efforts. The reality is that the political campaign process creates the necessity for financial support to ensure any candidate’s election. 

Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC allows our members to help specific campaigns. Through Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC, many individual voices become one large voice on legislative issues of concern to our hospital community and our patients.

Who can contribute?

Hospital staff, trustees and volunteers may join Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC as personal members.

• Staff: All levels of hospital staff are encouraged to participate in the PAC. Small contributions from hospital staff go a long way toward helping the PAC meet its goals.
• Trustees: A hospital’s Board of Trustees is involved in planning its future. Trustees are responsible for critical decisions about services and quality of care. Trustees have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Mississippi hospitals. Trustees are natural advocates for hospitals and their willingness to support Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC is key.
• Volunteers: Volunteers already donate both time and energy to the delivery of health care in the hospital. Their commitment and devotion extend to many areas. Becoming a member of Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC is an important way to extend service to their hospital.

Where does my contribution go?

Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC funds are used to contribute to political campaigns and support involvement of MHA members in the political process. The Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC Board of Directors governs the activities and funding for the PAC.  Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC provides support for candidates running for state office. 

On the federal level, 50% of eligible personal contributions are transferred to the American Hospital Association’s Political Action Committee (AHAPAC) for support of federal campaigns. AHA eligible contributions are individual contributions by hospital executives, volunteers and trustees. This is the only way Friends of Mississippi Hospitals PAC is permitted to contribute to campaigns for federal office.