How Your Support of HAPAC Protects Hospital Priorities in Razor-Thin Elections

December 19, 2024

By Jake Felker, director, political engagement

Many words come to mind when describing this past election cycle—stressful, polarizing, negative—yet it was surprisingly consistent.  

The importance and close margins of political majorities have made races for legislative office more expensive than ever, and this trend will only continue. For competitive state races, the average spending reached $1.1 million in House seats and $3.5 million in the Senate. Four Senate races surpassed $2 million in total spending with three surpassing $4 million each. In the race to retain control of the state House, Democratic candidates successfully raised more than $1 million in six seats, including one that reached nearly $5 million in spending.  

HAPAC remains the only political action committee in Pennsylvania focused on advancing and protecting hospital priorities. As our political opposition grows, it’s crucial we continue to grow with them to not lose ground. In a time that has seen an exponential rise in election costs and battles for narrow margins of political control, hospitals can become targets in negative campaigning like we saw in Cambria County this year.  

We must take this opportunity to grow our unified hospital voice. Not only do we stand to protect hospital champions, but we must defend against opposition forces with growing resources whose primary goal is to cast a negative view on hospitals. While HAPAC has held steady over the past four years, opposing PACs like the Philadelphia Trial Bar grew 29 percent, SEIU COPE increased 98 percent, and PASNAP jumped 100 percent. 

There is no offseason in politics. Campaigns are rebooting for 2025 races, parties are recalibrating messages, and opposing PACs are rebuilding campaign coffers. With only days left in 2024 we are pushing until the final fundraising day of the year. Your support will go a long way in building political opportunities in 2025. We stand over $40,000 short of our goal—any additional support will go a long way in helping us reach it.  

Please help the hospital PAC meet goal by December 31 by using passcode HAPAC to contribute online. Your support makes a difference.