AACOM Celebrates Advocacy Achievements in the 118th Congress

AACOM achieved significant successes for osteopathic medical education (OME) during the 118th Congress.

• The growth in congressional support for the bipartisan Fair Access In Residency Act, H.R. 751, and the increase to 76 supporting national and state healthcare organizations, demonstrated significant progress toward ensuring graduate medical education (GME) parity for osteopathic graduates in the residency selection process.
• The Community TEAMS Act, H.R. 7258/S. 3968, gained 26 bipartisan cosponsors and Congress included language in the fiscal year (FY) 2025 House and Senate appropriations bills encouraging more clinical rotations in rural and underserved areas.
• AACOM enlisted 37 Members of Congress to sign a letter to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) urging more osteopathic research funding and the House and Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations subcommittees included language in FY24 and FY25 urging the same.
• Veterans and Defense appropriations subcommittees encouraged the use of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) in addressing pain management for veterans and service members.
• AACOM’s Advocacy Days 2023 & 2024 engaged 700 advocates and facilitated 379 congressional meetings.

These accomplishments reflect AACOM’s dedication to expanding osteopathic influence and championing policies that strengthen healthcare education and delivery nationwide. We look forward to working with you in the 119th Congress to build on these successes and continue to strengthen the profession.