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.
- Social Media Toolkit – Share your story and get your lawmakers’ attention! Declare your ask!
- 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 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.
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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.
Dave Bergman, AACOM senior vice president of government relations and health affairs, and Tim McNichol, ACOI deputy executive director, 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
July 10, 2024
Engagement and Resources section of AACOM's OME Advocate newsletter
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House Passes Funding Bill (FY25) for Department of Defense, Directs DHA to Brief Congress on Military Medical Manpower
July 10, 2024
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Osteopathic Medicine Programs Qualify for Department of Education Extended Earnings Measurement Period
July 10, 2024
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Two More House Cosponsors added to Community TEAMS Act
July 10, 2024
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AACOM Continues to Advocate for NIH Osteopathic Funding
July 10, 2024
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Engagement and Resources
June 24, 2024
Engagement and Resources section of AACOM's OME Advocate newsletter
Recent Public Statements
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AACOM Rejects Cuts to Non-Defense Discretionary Appropriations (pdf)
June 25, 2024
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AACOM Submits Comments to CMS on FY25 IPPS Proposed Rule (pdf)
June 10, 2024
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AACOM Signs APHA Letter to House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on Health Workforce and Public Health Infrastructure (pdf)
June 10, 2024
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ACE Publishes Summary Memo on Department of Labor Federal Overtime Rule (pdf)
June 10, 2024
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AACOM Signs ACE Letter to House Rules Committee on Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act Amendment to FY25 NDAA (pdf)
June 07, 2024
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AACOM Submits Testimony for FY25 Appropriations to Senate LHHSE Subcommittee (pdf)
May 24, 2024
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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.
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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