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), Carol Miller (R-WV) and Don Davis (D-NC), 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!
- H.R. 2314 Bill Text – Learn what the FAIR Act does.
- FAIR Act One Pager - Learn more about the purpose,
background, and impact of the FAIR Act.
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.
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
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President Trump Nominates Susan Monarez to Lead CDC
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Senate Forum Spotlights Administration Cuts to NIH Research
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Senate Confirms NIH and FDA Directors, CMS Administrator
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ED Launching Rulemaking Process to Streamline Student-Loan Programs
April 07, 2025
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ED Reopens IDR Loan Applications as Trump Proposes Shifting Student Loan Management to SBA
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Recent Public Statements
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AACOM Highlights OME Funding Priorities in Testimony to House LHHSE Appropriations Subcommittee (pdf)
April 17, 2025
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AACOM Signs CDC Coalition Letter Urging Funding for CDC Programs in the FY26 LHHSE Appropriations Bill (pdf)
April 17, 2025
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AACOM Urges Congress to Preserve the PSLF Program and IDR Plans (pdf)
April 09, 2025
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More than 70 Organizations Sign FAIR Act Coalition Support Letter (pdf)
April 04, 2025
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AACOM Signs THCGME Coalition Letter Urging Increase in PRA Funds for the 2026–2027 Academic Year (pdf)
March 27, 2025
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AACOM Signs ACE Letter Supporting Strategic AI Use in Higher Education (pdf)
March 14, 2025
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