Policy & Advocacy
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AACOM Spearheads Bill for DO Residency Fairness
Reintroduced by Representatives Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Sam Graves (R-MO) and Jared Golden (D-ME), the Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act ensures
that Medicare-funded residency programs accept DO applications and their licensing exam, the COMLEX-USA.Stay tuned for updates and ways you can help ensure DO applicants have fair access to residency programs.
FAIR Act Resources
- Take Action – Tell your Members of Congress to support the FAIR Act today!
- HR 751 Bill Text – Learn what the FAIR Act does.
- FAIR Act One Pager - Learn more about the purpose, background, and impact of the FAIR Act.
- Coalition Support Letter – Organizational support is growing! If you participate in an organization that may want to sign the letter, please email aacomgr@aacom.org.
Questions? Please contact aacomgr@aacom.org if you have questions and want to be actively involved in advancing this key priority.
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AACOM Spearheads Bill to Expand Community-Based Training in Medically Underserved Communities
Introduced by Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV) and Annie Kuster (D-NH) in the House, and Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Bob Casey (D-PA) in the Senate, the Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students (Community TEAMS) Act creates a new Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant program that funds medical school clinical rotations in rural and underserved areas.Stay tuned for updates and ways you can help expand training opportunities for medical students and increase access to care for rural and underserved populations.
Community TEAMS Act Resources
- Take Action – Tell your Members of Congress to support the Community TEAMS Act today!
- HR 7258 Bill Text – Learn what the Community TEAMS Act does.
- S 3968 Bill Text - Learn more about the Senate version of the Community TEAMS Act.
- Community TEAMS Act One Pager - Learn more about the purpose, background, and impact of the Community TEAMS Act.
- Coalition Support Letter - Organizational support is growing! If you participate in an organization that may want to sign the letter, please email aacomgr@aacom.org.
Questions? Please contact aacomgr@aacom.org if you have questions and want to be actively involved in advancing this key priority
AACOM and ACOI Host Joint Congressional Briefing on Rural Health
On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, AACOM and the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) hosted a joint congressional lunch briefing, “Rural and Underserved Health: DOs Mending the Breach.” The briefing was presented in partnership with the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus and with support from the National Rural Health Association.
The hour-long briefing included presentations on the history of osteopathic medicine, the community-based distributed model of education and the role the osteopathic profession plays in serving rural and underserved populations.
Featured speakers included:
- Robert A. Cain, DO, FACOI, FAODME, president & chief executive officer, AACOM
- Robert T. Hasty, DO, FACOI, FACP, president, ACOI, and dean & chief academic officer, Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP, president, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Representative Carol Miller (R-WV), lead sponsor of the Community TEAMS Act and a cosponsor of the FAIR Act, provided recorded remarks for the briefing.
AACOM Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Health Affairs Dave Bergman and ACOI Deputy Executive Director Tim McNichol also highlighted bipartisan policy solutions to improve healthcare in rural and underserved communities, including the FAIR Act and the Community TEAMS Act. More than 45 congressional staffers attended this important event.
Recent Policy and Advocacy News
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Engagement & Resources
October 07, 2024
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Reminder: CMS RFI on Residency Program Newness Due October 15
October 07, 2024
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Congress Passes Bipartisan Stopgap Funding Bill Ahead of Shutdown Deadline
October 07, 2024
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Advocacy Day Achieves Victories for Osteopathic Medicine
October 07, 2024
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Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter to NIH Addresses Osteopathic Research Disparities
October 07, 2024
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Engagement & Resources
October 01, 2024
Recent Public Statements
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AACOM Comments on CMS Request for Information: New Residency Program Standards (pdf)
October 17, 2024
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37 Members of Congress Sign Bicameral Letter Urging NIH to Increase Osteopathic Research (pdf)
September 30, 2024
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AACOM and AI/AN Health Partners Call for Tax-Free IHS Loan Repayment and Scholarships (pdf)
September 05, 2024
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AACOM Comments on Department of Education's Proposed Rules on Distance Education, Title IV Funds, Federal TRIO Programs (pdf)
August 29, 2024
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AACOM Submits Comments to Energy and Commerce Committee on NIH Reform (pdf)
August 27, 2024
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AACOM Submits Comments to Further Enhance 21st Century Cures, Cures 2.0 Acts (pdf)
August 27, 2024
Leadership Programs & Opportunities
AACOM's Leadership Institute
AACOM's Leadership Institute offers two health policy programs: an internship for current DO students and a fellowship for practicing or teaching osteopathic physicians.
Register With AACOM's Talent Bank!
If you'd like to serve on federal and state commissions, national boards, task forces or committees, or be an OME spokesperson with the media or a mentor to students, then join a network of individuals dedicated to furthering the excellence of OME.
Your registration does not obligate you to serve in a particular role. AACOM will seek your approval prior to nomination or media outreach. Download our flyer to learn more.
You'll find our latest advocacy updates, blog posts and Calls to Action. Be sure your voice is heard on issues impacting osteopathic medical education and student financial aid.
Contact Us
AACOM Government Relations
7700 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 250
Bethesda, MD 20814
aacomgr@aacom.org