Why it's important to support AOTPAC

Why should I contribute to AOTPAC?

Occupational therapy practitioners and students have the opportunity to affect the legislative and political process by electing candidates to Congress who not only understand occupational therapy issues, but who support our legislative goals. As the federal government continues to get more involved in health care, education, research, funding, and more, which affects our ability to practice, our scope of practice, and how we are paid, it is crucial that the voice of occupational therapy is heard. The American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC) gives occupational therapy practitioners, educators, researchers, and students that voice.

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Need more reasons?

• AOTPAC is the only PAC in the United States focused solely on advancing the interests of occupational therapy on Capitol Hill. Your contribution to AOTPAC helps AOTA gain the strength and high profile needed to compete in the political arena.
• AOTPAC is a legal way to participate in the political process to help elect federal candidates who will best understand and support our issues.
• As members of AOTA, we have more impact and influence when we work together than when we work separately.
• AOTPAC represents the Association's interests based on priorities set by you, the members and AOTA's leadership.
• AOTPAC expands your influence beyond your own Congressional district or state. It allows us to contribute money to candidates and officeholders you may not know about who understand and support occupational therapy issues and need our support.
• AOTPAC provides federal candidates and officeholders with a clear idea of where AOTA stands on the issues that affect our practice and our clients (their constituents).
• AOTPAC recognizes and advocates for the interests and needs of practitioners, educators, researchers, and students, but we cannot move our legislative agenda without the support of the legislators who enact the laws.
• AOTPAC is an important educational tool for elected officials. When candidates and office holders appeal for money from AOTPAC it means they want to learn about you and occupational therapy.
• AOTPAC makes well-informed decisions on which candidates and officeholders to support, based on your input as well as inside knowledge of what really happens to your issues during legislative sessions, voting records, or other issues that do not show up in votes. In addition, they have a set of criteria to aide in their decisions.
• AOTPAC plays an important role in protecting occupational therapy's interests. It is designed to protect your rights. Giving to your PAC ensures that someone is looking out for you.
• If you don't stand for occupational therapy, who will? If your voice is not the voice that is heard on Capitol Hill, whose voice will be heard instead? Will it be your local physical therapist, athletic trainer, or physician? You cannot afford to sit on the sidelines and let someone else determine your fate as a practitioner. You must get your voice heard. AOTPAC can help you do that.

You may also print and mail the AOTPAC Contribution Form and send a check, money order, or credit card instructions by mail to AOTPAC, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814-6519. For questions please contact Leigh Ann Wrinn at lawrinn@aota.org