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Dear Colleagues:
With much of the nation focused on the political contest
in Ohio, this is a very exciting and important time for Ohio psychologists.
Thanks to the generous contributions of OPA PAC members, we have given
unprecedented support to political candidates who support the issues
critical to psychology in Ohio. For the first time OPA has endorsed a
candidate running for state office and has joined efforts with Ohio
Psychiatrists and NAMI-Ohio to provide over $32,000 in financial support.
Your contributions to the OPA PAC have made a difference
in Ohio. For example, we were able to head off legislation that would have
shifted regulation of psychologists to Licensing Boards with little or no
experience or training in psychology. We have influenced the development of
legislation requiring insurance companies to pay psychologist fees promptly
and provide real penalties when they fail to meet this obligation.
While we can and do feel proud of these accomplishments,
the most important battles are still on the horizon. Some of these include
upcoming legislating on parity of mental health, substance abuse with other
health problems and the State of Ohio budget, which directly affects the
mental health services Ohioans receive. Anthem’s major fee reduction, panel
issues and a poor complaint process make insurance regulation our top
priority in the coming session.
Perhaps the single most salient issue is that
psychologists’ incomes are not keeping pace with inflation. According to a
2006 report from Psychotherapy Finances, while psychologist incomes are up
16% since 2000, the cost of living is up 17% for the same period. This is
compounded by the fact that fees had actually dropped in the three years
prior to 2000. This condition cannot help but erode our profession and the
availability of the unique services we provide. To make progress on these
critical recourse issues, psychologists need well-informed legislators who
share our concern for the mental health of Ohioans. OPA’s hard work to
educate legislators and strategically target their efforts is all supported
by your contributions to the OPA PAC.
We are continuing our campaign to have every OPA member
contribute to the OPA PAC at least the equivalent of one hour of
reimbursement. Please, “GIVE AN HOUR FOR POWER.” You are already
experiencing some of the benefits.
In response to Ohio law governing PAC reporting, we are
shifting accounting of contributions from the OPA fiscal year to a calendar
year. We will continue to publicly acknowledge the generosity of our
supporters through the levels of giving, which are included throughout the
year in publications such as the OP Review and The Ohio Psychologist.
Sincerely,
Gregory Brigham, PhD
OPA PAC Chair
PS: If you have not already contributed
to a candidate for Ohio office there is still time to make a contribution
and receive up to a $50 Ohio Income Tax deduction. Contact the OPA office
for information on how to make your contribution count twice; first by
supporting the candidate and second by letting them know you are a member of
OPA.
What is OPA PAC?
The Ohio Psychological Association Political Action Committee (OPA PAC) is
an unincorporated organization involved in the political process by
supporting candidates and legislative issues in Ohio. The PAC seeks to
influence Ohio's political actions by making contributions to candidates,
central committees, or other political committees. The agenda of the OPA PAC
follows the concerns of OPA members, specifically targeting issues that
involve Ohio's psychological community. These actions are not affiliated
with political parties or candidates for political office.
Who are the members of the PAC?
The PAC is a committee of three or more volunteer members appointed by the
President of the Ohio Psychological Association with approval from the Board
of Trustees. The current members of the OPA PAC Committee are:
- Gregory Brigham, PhD, PAC Chair
- Bobbie Celeste, PhD
- Jane Hamilton
- David Hayes, PhD
- Alice Randolph, PhD
- Thomas P. Swales, PhD
Why Should I Get Involved?
The effects of government action on the practice of psychology in Ohio can
not be understated. Each year multiple bills come before the state
legislature that deal with issues ranging from prescription drug privileges
to parity laws that assure coverage of behavioral health in insurance
programs. As term-limits begin to take effect in Ohio, legislators change
quickly along with these policy trends. By taking part in the OPA PAC your
voice can be heard in this complicated political process. Choosing not to
become involved leaves the door open for other groups and interests to
control the practice of psychology in Ohio. Every contribution to the PAC
assists in influencing important political decisions; help us further the
goals of psychology and mental health in Ohio.
How Can I Get Involved?
- Print out and complete the
OPA PAC contribution form or
donate
online.
- Attend a PAC reception with state legislators and
candidates.
- Attend OPA’s
Legislative Day in Columbus and meet
legislators to begin building personal relationships with them.
- Work for candidates in your area and make sure they
know psychology’s issues.
OPA
PAC Giving Levels
PAC MEMBER
$10
PAC BOOSTER $25
PAC SUPPORTER $60* (or $15 quarterly)
PAC ADVOCATE $120* (or $30 quarterly)
PAC LEADER $300* (or $75 quarterly/$25 monthly)
PAC CHAMPION $600* (or $150 quarterly/$50 monthly)
*this level offers the option to have your contribution charged to
your personal credit card in the listed installment amounts
PAC donors will be acknowledged here on
the website and in OPA publications.
OPA PAC Resources
OPA PAC Goals for 2007
- To provide regular information to PAC Donors and OPA
Members
- To support our friends
- To raise $15,000 by December 31, 2007
- Increase participation by OPA members in PAC giving
(increase to 25% of OPA members participating; Long term goal is to have
at least 50% of our members donating $40,000 or more to the PAC)
- Increase awareness of OPA issues
- Improve access to key legislators
- Help OPA members take of advantage of Ohio’s Tax Credit
opportunities for donations to statewide candidates/office holders for
gifts made prior to December 31, 2007
- Increase the number of OPA members who authorize
recurring credit card charge donation to the OPA PAC
- Increase the number of members who give ONE HOUR FOR
POWER
2007 OPA PAC Donors
(download a list taken from the March, 2007 OP Review)
2006 OPA PAC Donors (download a list taken from
the November, 2006 OP Review)
2005
OPA PAC Donors (download a list taken from the November,
2005 OP Review)
2008 OPA PAC Donations Made (as
of 6/30/08)
- Book Election Committee
- Citizens for Garland
- Citizens for Hottinger
- Citizens to Elect John Patrick Carney
- Citizens to Elect John Patrick Carney
- Citizens with Celeste
- Committee for Jon M. Peterson
- Committee to Elect Brian G. Williams
- Committee to Elect Lynn Wachtmann
- Committee to Elect Tom Letson
- Committee to Elect W. Carlton Weddington
- Driehaus for State Representative
- Edna Brown Campaign Committee
- Fende for State Representative
- Friends of Barbara Boyd
- Friends of Bob Hagen
- Friends of Dale Miller
- Friends of Jim Raussen
- Friends of Kenny Yuko
- Friends of Marian Harris Committee
- Friends of Shannon Jones
- House Democratic Caucus Fund
- Matt Huffman for State Representative
- Mecklenborg for State Representative
- Shawn Webster Re-Election Committee
2007 OPA PAC Donations Made (as
of 12/31/07)
- Citizens for Carey
- Citizens with Celeste
- Committee for Jim Hughes
- Committee for Joyce Beatty
- Committee for Larry Flowers
- Citizens to Elect Dan Dodd
- Committee for Jon M. Peterson
- Committee to Elect Sue Morano
- Fathman For Council
- Friends of Dale Miller
- Friends of Matthew J. Dolan
- Friends of Senator Spada
- House Democratic Caucus Fund
- Hustad for Ohio
- Ohio Legislative Black Caucus
- Ohio Senate Democrats
- Stewart for State Representative Committee
- Team Coughlin
- Teresa Fedor for Senate
- The Redfern Committee
2006 OPA PAC Donations Made (as
of 12/31/06)
- Citizens for Tavares
- Citizens to Elect Don Dodd
- Citizens to Elect John Patrick Carney
- Citizens with Celeste
- Committee for John Peterson
- Committee for Joyce Beatty
- Committee to Elect Sue Morano
- Friends of Dale Miller
- Friends of Mike Foley
- Ohio House Democratic Caucus Fund
- Ohio House Republican Campaign Committee
- Ohio Legislative Black Caucus
- Ohio Senate Democrats
- Redfern 2006
- Strickland for Governor
- Team Coughlin
- The Jennifer Brunner Committee
OPA PAC Policies
- OPA will support any psychologist running at any level,
who supports and understands our issues
- OPA will support any legislator or candidate recommended by a
psychologist (who completes our survey)
- OPA supports its friends in the legislature
- OPA targets people on key committees (House and Senate
Health and Insurance committees)
- OPA supports the caucuses and leadership
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