OME Advocate Newsletter
Delivered twice-monthly right to your in-box, AACOM's OME Advocate keeps you informed and involved in policy discussions and legislation around healthcare, medical students and osteopathic medical education.
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AACOM in Action : What You Need to Know : AACOM Advocates : Policy Update : Engagement & Resources
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Amber Healy, DO, Appointed to Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Board of Governors
AACOM nominee Amber Healy, DO, was appointed to the Board of Governors of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Dr. Healy is a diabetologist and clinical professor at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. She will serve a six-year term with the opportunity for reappointment. PCORI strengthens the nation's health evidence base by funding patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research that informs health and healthcare decision making. Dr. Healy is the second osteopathic physician ever appointed to the board. Read AACOM's press release for more information about Dr. Healy's appointment.
"Osteopathic medicine shaped how I practice: whole person, prevention first, with the patient's own goals in the room. I'm honored to carry that perspective onto the PCORI Board of Governors, where decisions about research priorities affect patients like the ones DOs see every day."
– Amber Healy, DO, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
PCOM Wins AACOM Advocacy Day COM Engagement Competition
Out of the 74 osteopathic medical school campuses that took part in AACOM Advocacy Day 2026, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)’s Pennsylvania campus earned the highest student participation and won AACOM’s COM Engagement Competition! In recognition of this achievement, AACOM will award the PCOM Student Government Association (SGA) a $1,000 prize. We also wish to congratulate the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) and Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM), who were runners up in the competition. Thank you to the PCOM, ACOM and KYCOM SGAs and all participating COMs for making Advocacy Day 2026 our largest yet!
"Participating in AACOM Advocacy Day was a meaningful opportunity for PCOM students to see how our collective voices can help shape the future of medical education and patient care. As DO Council President, I was proud to see our students come together to advocate for issues that directly affect us and the communities we hope to serve. This experience reinforced that we do not have to wait until we become physicians to make an impact."
– Nija Lomax, PCOM DO Council President, OMS II
Advocacy Day 2026 Adds New Cosponsors
Following AACOM Advocacy Day 2026, several new cosponsors are supporting the Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act, H.R. 2314 / S. 2715, and the Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students (TEAMS) Act, H.R. 3885 / S. 3989. Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) signed on as a cosponsor of the FAIR Act while Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Representatives Janelle Bynum (D-OR) and Dina Titus (D-NV) signed on as cosponsors of the Community TEAMS Act. Build on Advocacy Day’s success by telling Congress to promote DO graduate medical education parity through the FAIR Act and expand community-based clinical rotations with the Community TEAMS Act. |
VA Opens New MISSION Act GME Reimbursement Opportunities
- On September 16, 2026, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) opened two Requests for Proposals under the MISSION Act Section 403 Pilot Program for Graduate Medical Education and Residency, designed to expand physician training and improve access to care in rural, tribal and underserved communities.
- Two reimbursement opportunities are available: Model A supports the proportionate share of resident salaries and benefits during rotations at eligible covered facilities and Model B supports certain costs associated with establishing new ACGME-accredited residency programs, as well as eligible resident salaries and benefits.
- Applications are due November 30, 2026. The VA will host virtual information sessions on October 7, 2026 and October 28, 2026 from 2:00–3:00 PM ET.
White House Seeks to Rescind $810 Million in Federal Funding
- On September 25, 2026, the White House submitted an $810 million rescissions package to Congress proposing cuts across 11 federal accounts, including approximately $28 million from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and $69.6 million from the Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education.
- Because the affected funds were set to expire at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2026, the administration withheld the funds while Congress considered the request under the Impoundment Control Act. On September 29, the Government Accountability Office concluded that the law does not permit the administration to withhold the funds through their expiration date and that they must remain available unless Congress approves their rescission.
- The action has also faced opposition in Congress and legal challenges. On September 30, a coalition of seven states sued the administration, arguing that withholding congressionally appropriated funds violates the Constitution and federal law. Lawmakers have also discussed legislative action to restrict similar end-of-fiscal-year rescission requests in the future.
Senate Committees Advance HHS Nominees, Hold FDA Commissioner Hearing
- On September 24, 2026, the Senate Finance Committee advanced Gerard "Chris" Klomp to be deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by a vote of 15-12 and Ge Bai to be assistant secretary for planning and evaluation by a vote of 14-13.
- The same day, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a confirmation hearing for Heidi Overton, MD, PhD, nominee for the commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but did not vote on her nomination.
- On September 30, 2026, the Senate HELP Committee voted 12-11 along party lines to advance three HHS nominees en bloc: Nicole Saphier to be surgeon general, Mary Lazare to be assistant secretary for aging and Timothy Westlake to be assistant secretary for mental health and substance use.
- The Senate has not announced floor votes on any of these nominees.
Engagement & Resources
Prepare for the NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program: The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service Loan Repayment Program provides up to $120,000 in tax-free loan repayment to eligible medical, dental, nursing and physician assistant students in their final year of school in exchange for three years of service at an NHSC-approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Eligible maternity care providers may also receive a $40,000 supplemental award. The application cycle is expected to open soon. Learn more. |
Apply for the FY27 Service Area Competition: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)’s FY27 Service Area Competition provides funding for organizations to deliver comprehensive preventive and primary healthcare in service areas currently served by the Health Center Program. The current funding opportunity, HRSA-27-005, supports service areas with an April 1, 2027, period of performance start date. Applications are due by October 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET, followed by the HRSA Electronic Handbooks submission deadline on November 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Learn more. |
