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 A Voice for Those Who Care
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March 2010 |
Care. Vote. Contribute. |
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A Note from the Chairman
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David Tesmer
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The primary elections are over and HOSPAC’s endorsed candidates did very well, winning in all but six races (see more details below).
Through their contributions, HOSPAC’s 2009 members helped these hospital-friendly candidates win their primary races. And, thanks to these contributors, the HOSPAC 2009 Annual Campaign raised the most money ever – a total of $255,995 in contributions!
The Nov. 2 General Election may seem a long way off, but not for those on the campaign trail – and keeping up the momentum to win can be very expensive. To help hospital-friendly candidates win in the General Election, the HOSPAC Board of Directors met last month and approved an ambitious goal set by the THA Board of Trustees for 2010 – to increase HOSPAC contributions by 25 percent over last year and raise $320,000. Texas hospital advocates must be politically active in this election year, and it starts by contributing to HOSPAC. Please visit the Web site and make your 2010 pledge or contribution today.
HOSPAC will be delivering checks to key endorsed candidates and would like your help! If you are a 2010 HOSPAC Leadership Level member and would like to present a check to a candidate in your district, please let the HOSPAC staff know. A HOSPAC contribution presented by a local hospital constituent shows candidates that you care about their views on health care issues.
David Tesmer
Chairman, HOSPAC Board of Directors
Serving with Tesmer is the HOSPAC Board of Directors.
HOSPAC Scores Victories In Primary Elections
The March 2 primary elections yielded some predicable results and a few surprises. HOSPAC made endorsements in 203 races and lost in just six. Check out HOSPAC’s summary to see which endorsed candidates won.
Incumbent Gov. Rick Perry won the Republican nomination outright and will face Democratic nominee Bill White, former mayor of Houston, in the fall. In the Texas Legislature, there were eight open seats in the House and one open seat in the Senate. Five House incumbents lost, though recounts are expected in some of the closer races. Several other races are headed for runoffs. The runoff election date is April 13; the General Election is Nov. 2. HOSPAC will bring back its searchable Web site of endorsed candidates following the runoffs.
Beeler Honored with HOSPAC Star Award
Beeler and HOSPAC Secretary/ Treasurer Jennifer Banda, J.D., senior director of government relations for THA, celebrate Beeler’s award at the THA Leadership Conference. | Don A. Beeler, FACHE, long-time HOSPAC leader and recently retired president/CEO of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care System in San Antonio, was honored with HOSPAC’s Star Award during the Texas Hospital Association’s Annual Leadership Conference held last month in Austin. The HOSPAC Star Award recognizes outstanding hospital leaders who go above and beyond to support HOSPAC.
Since 1999, Beeler has been a passionate champion for the PAC. During his 10 years on the HOSPAC board, the organization expanded the involvement of hospital executives statewide and consistently increased contributions. During Beeler’s tenure, HOSPAC created new donor recognition levels: Ambassadors for those giving $2,000+ annually and the President’s Council for $1,500 contributors; and he always maintained his membership at the highest level. Beeler also played a key role in the development of HOSPAC’s Leadership Receptions, which have become successful fundraising events featuring opportunities for hospital leaders and other health care advocates to interact with key elected officials. He served as a member of the THA Board of Trustees and on THA’s Council on Policy Development, using these forums to promote participation in HOSPAC.
As a hospital executive, Beeler built strong relationships with local, state and federal elected officials, frequently hosting legislators at his system’s hospitals. As a past chairman of the Greater San Antonio Hospital Council, a member of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce board and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, he consistently raised the profile of the city’s health care infrastructure.
Beeler also led the MHA Advisory Board at Trinity University and has mentored numerous residents, instilling the importance of participation in the political process.
“Don Beeler truly understands the value of political action and personal relationships with legislators,” noted THA President/CEO Dan Stultz, M.D., FACP, FACHE, in presenting the award. “He definitely ‘walks the talk’ when it comes to political involvement.”
Summersett and Bonner Recognized as ‘MVPPs’
HOSPAC recently named two winners of the HOSPAC/AHAPAC “Most Valuable PAC Players” award: James A. Summersett III, FACHE, and Tucker Bonner Jr., FACHE. The MVPP award recognizes HOSPAC leaders who support HOSPAC Federal and its partner organization, the American Hospital Association’s PAC, through contributions and advocacy efforts at the federal level. Bonner will receive his award at the May 6 HOSPAC Leadership Reception at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Summersett will be recognized at a HOSPAC event later this year.
Summersett, president/CEO of Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, has been a HOSPAC Leadership Level member for more than 10 years. In addition to serving on the HOSPAC Board of Directors since 2007 – currently as chairman-elect – he has served on the Texas Hospital Association Board of Trustees, the Council on Policy Development and numerous other THA councils and committees. Summersett is a delegate to the AHA Board of Trustees and has traveled often to Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of Texas hospitals. Knapp Medical Center was ranked at the top of HOSPAC’s list of contributing hospitals for 2009, achieving 262 percent of its fundraising goal.
Bonner, senior vice president of corporate services for Plano-based Community Hospital Corporation, is a former chairman of the THA Board of Trustees and a long-time Leadership Level member of HOSPAC. He served as the 2009 chairman of the AHAPAC Board and is actively involved in advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels. Under his leadership, HOSPAC Federal and AHAPAC exceeded their fundraising goals during one of the toughest economic years in recent history.
HOSPAC congratulates these leaders on their well-deserved awards!
Nominations Sought for HOSPAC’s
Star Trustee Award
HOSPAC is seeking nominations for its Star Trustee Award, which recognizes outstanding hospital trustees who go above and beyond to support HOSPAC. The inaugural HOSPAC Star Trustee Award was presented last year to Peggy Allison, trustee at Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio. This year’s award will be presented at the Texas Healthcare Trustees Annual Conference, July 29-31 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort. Download the nomination form and submit your suggestion today! Nominations are due by June 1.
Next Leadership Reception:
At the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington!
Take me out to the ballgame! Mark your calendar and plan to attend HOSPAC’s next Leadership Reception, May 6 at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
 This event, which has become an annual HOSPAC tradition, will be hosted by Sterling Barnett Little, Inc., at the SBL office suite overlooking the baseball field. Watch your mail and e-mail inbox for more details soon! Make your HOSPAC Leadership Level contribution or pledge now so that you can attend and be listed on the recognition displays for this event. Click here to make your 2010 contribution online or contact Lisa Kepple at lkepple@tha.org.
HOSPAC’s 2009 Contributors Recognized
HOSPAC’s 2009 Leadership Level members and top contributing hospitals were recognized during THA’s Leadership Conference last month. They also will be listed in the March-April issue of Texas Hospitals. Thanks to these contributors and many others, HOSPAC raised the most money ever – a total of $255,995 in contributions! All of these funds will go to help hospital-friendly candidates win their races in the 2010 elections. Campaign totals are as follows:
| Overall: |
$255,995 (96% of $267,000 goal) |
| State PAC: |
$111,785 (92% of $121,000 goal) |
| Federal PAC: |
$122,940 (102% of $121,000 goal) |
| Corporate PAC: |
$ 21,270 (85% of $25,000 goal) |
For 2010, HOSPAC is seeking to raise nearly $320,000 – a 25 percent increase over 2009’s goal. Your personal contribution is essential to the PAC’s success.
Consider that HOSPAC raises much less than many similar association PACs such as the trial lawyers and insurance associations’ PACs, which – like HOSPAC – build their funds with individual contributions. The individuals who support these PACs understand the importance of their PAC contributions in the political process. If you have never contributed to HOSPAC before, now is the time to do so. Visit the HOSPAC Web site and make your 2010 pledge or contribution today!
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| | According to Texas Government Code 305.02, portions of this material may be considered “legislative advertising.” Authorization for its publication is made by John Hawkins, senior vice president of government and public affairs,
Texas Hospital Association,
P.O. Box 679010, Austin, Texas 78767-9010.
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