Donor profile: Cooperative of American Physicians

Introduction

Total contributions to super PACs: $2.8 million*

• $2.8 million to Cooperative of American Physicians IE Committee

Corporate subsidiaries: Cooperative of American Physicians Insurance Services, Inc.

Total spent on federal lobbying (2007-2011): $270,000

Lobbying issues: Limiting medical malpractice lawsuits.

Background:

The Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. made $2.8 million in contributions during the 2012 election cycle, once enough to rank it among the top donors to super PACs. All of its money went to its affiliated Cooperative of American Physicians IE Committee.

The Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc., is owned and governed by California doctors. Members qualify to buy medical malpractice insurance through the Mutual Protection Trust, which provides coverage to 12,000 doctors, according to the company. CAP, as it is commonly known, supports medical liability reform; that is, it advocates for legislation that makes it more difficult for patients to bring medical malpractice suits.

CAP has long been politically active, and has both state and federal political action committees.

Following the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court decision, the corporation created its well-funded super PAC, which spent roughly $1.5 million on independent expenditures this election cycle.

In 2011, the group supported California Democrat Janice Hahn, who won a special election in California’s 36th Congressional District.

In 2012, it produced ads backing six Republican House candidates in California and two Democratic candidates, including Hahn, as she successfully sought re-election in a member-versus-member race after redistricting in the state. The group also targeted six high-profile Democratic Senate candidates with negative ads, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

The rest of the money its spent has gone to legal, consulting and accounting fees, travel reimbursements, polling and dues to other organizations.

Last updated: Jan. 17, 2013

*2011-2012 election cycle. Source: Center for Responsive Politics and Center for Public Integrity analysis of Federal Election Commission records. Totals include contributions from individuals, family members and corporations that are controlled by the individual super donor.