Spotlight on the Academy Political Action Committee (PAC)

The Political Action Committee (PAC) collects funds that then enable the Academy to contribute in a bipartisan manner to members of Congress that are supportive of audiology and advancing hearing healthcare. PAC funds also allow the Academy access to face-to-face meetings with legislators, enabling the Academy to raise the visibility of audiology and critical issues facing the profession such as the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act (H.R. 1587/S. 1731).

The PAC is a critical component of the Academy’s advocacy network and all funds are used for direct contributions. Under Federal Election Commission rules, the PAC may only accept individual (non-corporate) contributions from Academy members residing in the United States.

Lacey Sharp, AuD, current serves as the chair of the PAC Advisory Board. Below is Lacey’s “Why I Contribute” statement that speaks to the importance of contributing to the PAC to support the audiology profession and advocacy goals of the Academy.

---

---

“My name is Lacey Sharp and I am an audiologist in a private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. I am also the Academy PAC Advisory Board Chair. As a young professional, I donate to the PAC because I know it will help improve and safeguard my profession. It helps achieve changes within Medicare that I support, like being classified as a practitioner, as other doctoral level professions. It helps my patients see me without a referral. It allows me to help patients every way I can within my full scope of practice. I participated in the Virtual Hill Day and tried to ensure our Senators and state representatives know why I feel this way too. Supporting the PAC means supporting my lifelong profession and allowing us to fight for what is right. I hope you will consider donating too!”

How Can I Make a Contribution to the Political Action Committee (PAC)?