Congress Pushes NIH to Boost Funding for Osteopathic Medical Research

Bipartisan, bicameral letter calls for end to longstanding disparities

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Bethesda, MD) – Today, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) commends the bipartisan, bicameral group of 37 Members of Congress who sent a letter to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD, calling for the elimination of longstanding disparities in NIH funding and representation for osteopathic medicine. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and John Boozman (R-AR), and Representatives Julia Letlow (R-LA) and Susie Lee (D-NV), spearheaded this important effort in collaboration with AACOM.

"For far too long, the NIH has overlooked the critical role that osteopathic medicine plays in improving healthcare outcomes across this country,” said AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO. “Osteopathic physicians bring a unique, holistic perspective to patient care, yet we remain underfunded and underrepresented. We are deeply grateful to the Members of Congress who are standing with us to address these inequities. It's time for the NIH to recognize and support the full value that osteopathic medicine brings to our nation’s healthcare."

“Osteopathic medical schools play an important role in addressing the health care workforce shortage facing New Mexico’s rural communities. By investing more resources in osteopathic medicine and research, we can grow our rural health care workforce and give more families in our state the opportunity to live healthy, happy lives,” said Senator Heinrich.

“Osteopathic physicians care for patients in communities across our country, and particularly in rural and underserved areas, but with limited access to federally funded research opportunities that can lead to breakthroughs and transform Americans’ health,” Boozman said. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in urging NIH to increase osteopathic medicine’s access to its programs and investments to reduce health disparities, improve outcomes and bolster support for these crucial medical providers.”

“Osteopathic medicine has been so beneficial in the Fifth District of Louisiana, especially in our rural and underserved communities,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05). “I strongly urge the National Institute of Health to work hand-in-hand with AACOM to find opportunities for increased research funding and representation for osteopathic medical professionals.”

“Osteopathic medical students can help fill Nevada’s critical health care needs and combat our dire shortage of physicians,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “Osteopathic medical schools educate a quarter of all medical students, but receive far less in NIH grant funding compared to MD-granting institutions. NIH must not continue to overlook the value of osteopathic medicine in America’s health care.”

Despite educating a quarter of all medical students, osteopathic medical schools receive only 0.1 percent of NIH grant funding—a mere $55.6 million compared to the $22.91 billion awarded to MD-granting institutions. Compounding this underfunding is the underrepresentation of osteopathic physicians within NIH leadership and advisory roles. Although DOs comprise 11 percent of the physician workforce, only two osteopathic physicians serve on NIH national advisory councils, compared with 213 MDs, and there are almost no DOs among the NIH's 3,233 study section reviewers.

These disparities limit the opportunities for osteopathic medical students to participate in research, placing them at a disadvantage in the residency selection process, while also restricting the nation’s overall research potential.

Today’s letter builds on years of congressional advocacy, including report language in appropriations bills from fiscal years 2022 through 2025 and a similar bicameral, bipartisan letter sent by 26 lawmakers in July 2022. AACOM will continue to lead on this important issue until there is parity in NIH research funding and representation for osteopathic medicine.

About AACOM:

Founded in 1898, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is the leading voice for the education and training of physicians who practice osteopathic medicine in settings across the medical spectrum—from primary care to the full range of medical specialties. We support our member colleges of osteopathic medicine in their efforts to attract and train individuals who are fueled by a desire to make a difference in our healthcare system by treating the whole person and building a future emphasizing health and wellness for all people. Today, more than 36,000 future physicians—25 percent of all U.S. medical students—are being educated at one of our 42 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine, encompassing 67 teaching locations in 36 states.  To learn more about AACOM, please visit our website.

Contacts:

Joseph Shapiro
Director of Media Relations
(240) 938-0746
jshapiro@aacom.org

Christine DeCarlo
Senior Manager of Media and Public Affairs
(202) 603-1026
cdecarlo@aacom.org