Contribute TODAY to the WAO Political Action Committee

The Wisconsin Academy of Ophthalmology is committed to offering a wide collection of member services and programing. That includes a comprehensive government affairs program that provides direct lobbying services and grassroots advocacy strategies to increase WAO’s presence in the State Capitol and help shape policy decisions that preserve and enhance the practice of ophthalmology in Wisconsin.

One of the most effective advocacy tools the WAO has as its disposal is the Ophthalmologists for Better Government Political Action Committee (PAC). The PAC allows WAO to collect contributions from members into a single account to support candidates for state legislative office who understand and support issues important to ophthalmologists, the practice of ophthalmology, and Wisconsin’s House of Medicine.

Contributing to our PAC is more important than ever, as optometrists have been successful in expanding their permissible scope of services in several other states – and the debate is heating up in other parts of the country. Wisconsin could very likely be next… and an optometrist scope of practice battle may hit the Badger State as early as the 2023-24 legislative session.

In addition, mid-level practitioners will undoubtedly continue their efforts to expand their scope of care without direct physician supervision.

The best way we can win these legislative battles is to significantly enhance our legislative advocacy outreach, and having a robust, well-funded PAC is critical to our efforts. With strong member participation in the Ophthalmologists for Better Government PAC, we will be well positioned to preserve the Ophthalmology scope of practice in Wisconsin. Our PAC can:

• Help elect quality candidates who support issues critical to WAO;
• Help WAO build relationships with candidates and legislators; and
• Help engage WAO members in the political process.

It is also important to remember that despite occasional negative connotations in the media, PACs are not “shady”, and they do not buy elections or votes. Rather, they are a legal, highly regulated political giving tool that provide organizations like WAO with a stronger voice in the State Capitol.  

The Ophthalmologists for Better Government PAC is governed by a committee comprised of WAO members, who seek to support candidates who have demonstrated – through actions or statements –that they agree with WAO positions on eye care in Wisconsin. Other factors the committee may consider when deciding to support a candidate include, leadership positions in the legislature, membership on key legislative committees, or a personal recommendation from a WAO member.

As mentioned above, the WAO PAC is funded through contributions from ophthalmologists across the state and is only effective as a political tool if members participate in the program. With that in mind, please take a few moments and contribute online TODAY to the Ophthalmologists for Better Government PAC. Every dollar helps, as the risk of non-involvement in the political process is getting too high to ignore.