New nonpartisan political action committee will prioritize transparency, accountability, and policies that strengthen accessible, comprehensive primary care.
WASHINGTON — Advocates for Community Health (ACH) today announced the formation of Advocates for Community Health PAC (ACH PAC), a federal political action committee established to support candidates for public office who demonstrate a commitment to strengthening and sustaining community health centers and the patients they serve in rural and underserved communities.
ACH PAC will complement ACH’s broader government affairs and advocacy strategy by supporting federal candidates who champion innovative, accessible and comprehensive primary care models.
“Community health centers need informed, committed champions in Congress who understand both the extraordinary value they provide and the challenges they face,” said Amanda Pears Kelly, CEO of Advocates for Community Health. “ACH PAC will help elevate the voices of our members and support candidates who are committed to building a stronger, more accessible health care system with community health centers at the center. Just as importantly, we will operate the PAC with clear standards, responsible oversight, and transparency.”
ACH PAC is independent of any political party, candidate or other political organization. Contributions to candidates will be based on criteria including:
- A candidate’s demonstrated commitment to policies that strengthen and sustain community-based health care;
- The candidate’s professional background and record on health care issues;
- Service on congressional committees with jurisdiction over health care policy and funding;
- The strength and viability of the candidate; and
- Alignment with the interests and policy priorities of ACH and its members.
Transparency will be a central principle of ACH PAC’s operation, and the PAC will comply with all Federal Election Commission (FEC) reporting and public disclosure requirements, allowing the public to review its federally reported receipts and disbursements through the FEC’s campaign finance database.
“Political engagement is most effective when stakeholders understand how and why decisions are made,” said Stephanie Krenrich, senior vice president of policy and government affairs at ACH. “Our goal is to create a responsible, bipartisan vehicle that reflects the shared priorities of ACH members while providing meaningful transparency into the PAC’s activities.”
Initially, ACH PAC may contribute up to $3,500 to a federal candidate per election. After meeting federal requirements to qualify as a multicandidate committee, it may contribute up to $5,000 per candidate per election. Primary, runoff and general elections are treated as separate elections under federal law.
All individual contributions to ACH PAC are strictly voluntary.
This announcement is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for contributions.
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About Advocates for Community Health
Advocates for Community Health is a national, nonpartisan membership organization working to advance forward-thinking federal policies that empower community health centers to provide high-quality, innovative and comprehensive health care to underserved communities. Learn more at advocatesforcommunityhealth.org.