Advocacy & Policy
Advocacy & Policy
Support the PAC
AGA PAC gives gastroenterologists a greater presence on Capitol Hill and an effective voice on discussions that affect the science and practice of gastroenterology including prior authorization and step therapy.
With health care at the forefront of Congress’ policy agenda, it’s imperative that GIs have a seat at the table when health policy decisions are being made on Capitol Hill. Fortunately, you have a voice through the AGA political action committee (PAC).
AGA PAC’s mission is to increase our members’ presence on Capitol Hill and support congressional candidates who protect the needs of GI patients and health care professionals. AGA PAC supports legislators who make decisions on issues that can impact the future of the specialty and helps build relationships with new candidates, especially physician candidates, who could be future champions of gastroenterology.
AGA PAC is the only political action committee supported by a national gastroenterology society.
AGA PAC is a key part of AGA’s advocacy, amplifying AGA’s work on the Hill and AGA members’ grassroots advocacy to advance our priorities. We are working to protect the future of your practice, your research and your livelihood including:
- Protecting patients’ access to care
- Obtaining reasonable Medicare reimbursement rates.
- Increasing federal funding for biomedical research.
- Easing regulatory burdens on gastroenterologists.
AGA PAC is only open to full AGA members in the U.S. If you’re a nurse practitioner, physician assistant or practice manager and want to learn more about AGA PAC, contact Sarah Heckman.
Board of advisors
A board of directors, led by AGA PAC Chair Peter Scott Margolis, administers the AGA PAC. Appointed by the AGA Governing Board, the AGA PAC Board carefully researches key members of Congress who are instrumental in formulating health care legislation and candidates who could be future friends of gastroenterology. After careful review and discussion, the committee creates a contribution strategy and decides which candidates should receive the support of the AGA PAC.
The board ensures that the AGA PAC maintains the highest ethical standards and adheres to federal election laws governing contributions. This strong leadership and high-level stewardship ensures that your contributions are spent in the most effective manner.
Peter Scott Margolis, MD, AGAF
Chair
Naresh T. Gunaratnam, MD, AGAF
Governing Board Liaison
Sadeea Abbasi, MD, PhD
Nadeem A. Baig, MD
Jeffrey S. Crippin, MD
Laurel R. Fisher, MD, AGAF
Sonia S. Kupfer, MD, AGAF
Arpan Arun Patel, MD
Richard B. Robbins, MD
Nihar Shah, MD, FACP, FACG, FASGE
Bertha E. Toriz, MD
Negar Yaghooti, MD
AGA PAC statement on 2021-22 contributions
With the start of the new administration and Congress, the AGA PAC Board, a bipartisan group of AGA members, reviewed our contribution criteria, which take into account a candidate’s support of pro-gastroenterology policy priorities, relationships with AGA members, and roles in leadership and on key health committees. In 2021, we will consider a new factor: a candidate’s involvement in the disruption of the democratic process that took place at the U. S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
We will not make AGA PAC contributions in the 2021-22 election cycle to the 147 members of Congress who voted against certifying the electoral votes for President of the United States. The disruption of certification and the members of Congress who facilitated it imperiled our democracy.
The AGA PAC Board and the AGA Governing Board takes our role as stewards of AGA members’ contributions seriously and did not make this decision lightly. We remain committed to supporting candidates — regardless of party — who are dedicated to advancing our policy priorities and promoting good governance.
We appreciate your membership and support of AGA PAC. Through AGA PAC, we have given GI a stronger presence and voice on Capitol Hill and have been successful in advancing policy priorities that help gastroenterologists and our patients.
We remain committed to working on a bipartisan basis to find solutions to the problems our country faces. We hope that you will continue to support AGA advocacy efforts and welcome your feedback and suggestions.
AGA PAC Board of Advisors
Steven L. Carpenter, MD, AGAF, MACP, Chair
Peter Scott Margolis, MD, AGAF, Chair Elect
Lawrence S. Kim, MD, AGAF, Treasurer
Naresh T. Gunaratnam, MD, AGAF, Governing Board Liaison
Dale R. Bachwich, MD
Jeffrey S. Crippin, MD
Laurel R. Fisher, MD, AGAF
Sonia S. Kupfer, MD, AGAF
Calvin Qian Pan, MD, MACP, FACG, FAASLD
Arpan Arun Patel, MD
Maged Rizk, MD, AGAF
Richard B. Robbins, MD
Bertha E. Toriz, MD
Negar Yaghooti, MD
AGA Governing Board
Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH, AGAF, Chair
Bishr M. Omary, MD, PhD, AGAF, Chair-elect
John M. Inadomi, MD, AGAF, Vice Chair
John M. Carethers, MD, AGAF
Lawrence S. Kim, MD, AGAF, Secretary/Treasurer
Nicholas O. Davidson, MD, DSc, AGAF
Lin Chang, MD, AGAF
Maria T. Abreu, MD, AGAF
Michael L. Kochman, MD, AGAF
David A. Katzka, MD, AGAF
Peter S. Margolis, MD, AGAF
Michael L. Weinstein, MD, AGAF
