Spring 2001 Executive Director's Report

I have just returned from the annual AAO Leadership Conference (January 25-27) in freezing cold St. Louis.

About 80 leaders in the profession attended two-and-a half days of updates, leadership training, and lots of discussion of what’s going on around the US and Canada.

Chairs of councils and committees reported on threats to orthodontics and the activities to address them, AAO officers discussed future plans, and organizational experts helped us learn better how to manage our various associations.

As PCSO members well know, the AAO established the AAO Foundation and AAO Political Action Committee some years ago. It is about these two organizations that I write today.

AAO PAC

During Bill Clinton’s first term, the AAO hired Tim Haake, a Washington, DC, lobbyist, to help the leadership develop and initiate a strategy to help defeat the Clinton healthcare initiative. Through AAO member financial contributions to the AAO PAC and congressional contacts provided by AAO members, Mr. Haake was able to achieve access to some powerful congressional leaders. The Clinton initiative was defeated, in part due to the efforts of the AAO and other healthcare and interested organizations.

Our efforts did not end there, however. Once we understood the significance of our participation in the legislative process and how our work in this area could pay off, the PAC continued to meet with and provide information to members of Congress on issues important to the profession.

For the 2000-02 election cycle, the PAC contributed to the campaigns of over 40 members of Congress, the majority of whom won their 2000 elections.

In some cases, support was provided to those who take positions against us, primarily because it is those with whom we disagree that most need to hear our message. It’s all about access and information and that’s what the PAC funds and member contacts give us.

All this said, I was shocked to learn that the 2000 legislative efforts were achieved with contributions of only about $70,000. It’s mind-boggling to imagine what could be done with twice that. Big issues are afoot in 2001 and the leadership needs your help to maintain access to those who will make decisions.

There are two issues particularly important to orthodontic health care in general. First, OSHA has issued severe regulations concerning on-the-job injuries. If approved, employees will be entitled to 90 days recovery to recuperate from on-the-job injuries, with full pay. It will be up to the employer to prove that an injury did not occur on the job.

Second, new regulations have been proposed under the Privacy Act to protect health records. However, from what we’ve seen, the regulations are so restrictive as to make a significant impact on office procedures, likely to require time consuming and expensive solutions.

The AAO is on record in opposing these regulations and will need to continue seeking access to Congress to make clear our positions.

Different from the AAOF, where corporate sponsors and Regent level ($25,000) contributors have helped the funds reach over $16 million, donations to the PAC are limited to $500 and may only be made by members (and contributions are not tax deductible). The AAO PAC needs your help, even if it’s only $100-200.

AAOF

The Foundation is quite a different animal. During the decade of the ‘90s, great gains were made to secure funds for supporting research and orthodontic departments. Many members, organizations, commercial interests and friends of the profession (like me) provided support.

Once 2001 funding of $731,000 has been awarded, total funding since 1993 will have reached an astounding $3.3 million.

Given the success of the Foundation, one would think there had been great support from the membership in general. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily true. Nationwide, about 25% of the membership has pledged at least $2500, payable over three to five years. PCSO participation is lagging that average, with 20% having made a contribution.

Even with the level of $731,000 funding in 2001, the needs are many, with the Foundation unable to fund even half of the requests made each year. Funding for research from the National Institutes of Health is being reduced. There is a crisis in orthodontic education, with a number of department chair positions unfilled. Only one third of the residents necessary to fill the practices available in the near future are graduating and remaining in the US or Canada.

Members often ask what the Foundation does for them. One answer is that with higher AAOF funding to orthodontic departments, thereby supporting new department chairs and more residents, there is a greater likelihood that there will be more graduates interested in purchasing your practice when you’re ready to transition out of practice. No promises, but it is the intent of the AAOF to help provide solutions to this serious situation.

A small number of members and friends are working on plans for the future of the Foundation. I’m pleased to be one of those friends and proud to offer my strategic planning skills to the effort.

With more support from PCSO members, we could make plans to have a bigger effect on the challenges facing the profession. I don’t want to beg, but do want to encourage your support.

My "Case for the Future" was paid off last year. There is a strong sense that my small contribution is working to solve some of the problems facing us in the future.

There is no question that both the AAO PAC and AAOF need member support. I’m making the simple request that, if you haven’t done so already, please consider a donation to both. Such actions are certainly an investment in the profession now and for those who follow you. Thank you.

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