Policy & Advocacy

Policy and Advocacy News

Congressional Letter Urges NIH to Increase Funding for Osteopathic Research

Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Representative Susie Lee (D-NV) spearheaded a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to end an historic funding disparity and unlock the unique potential of osteopathic physicians and researchers. The AACOM-organized letter was signed by 26 Members of Congress and outlines critical steps for the NIH to expand research funding for colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs).

The letter builds on congressional language in the fiscal year (FY) 2022 omnibus appropriations bill that highlighted the disparity and acknowledged the benefit of osteopathic research. Increasing NIH funding for osteopathic research was a key priority during AACOM Advocacy Day, and we thank our deans, students, faculty and all members of the osteopathic community for helping us achieve this important success. AACOM expects that this letter will facilitate more NIH funding for osteopathic medicine, and we will continue to lead on this critical issue.

House Passes OMT Language as Part of Six-Bill Appropriations Package

• On July 20, the House voted 220 – 207 to pass its $405 billion, six-bill minibus spending package for FY23, the first appropriations legislation either chamber has passed for the coming year.
• The package includes report language in the FY23 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill directing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide data on the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in the treatment of veterans.
• Passage of the spending package represents an important step in AACOM’s comprehensive strategy to encourage assessment and use of OMT.
• The language recognizes the importance of OMT as a non-addictive treatment for pain, noting, “The Committee is aware that doctors of osteopathic medicine receive intensive training in OMT and play an important role in the treatment of veterans, who experience higher prevalence of pain and more severe pain than nonveterans.”
• For other programs and provisions of importance to the osteopathic medical education community, please review AACOM’s analysis.

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) Dean and Students Reflect on AACOM Advocacy Day

MSUCOM Dean Andy Amalfitano, DO, PhD, and students wrote about their experience at AACOM Advocacy Day 2022. Courtney Merlo, OMS IV and National Student Osteopathic Medical Association President, said of her experience advocating for parity for DO students applying to residency, “I have a lot of skin in the game as a fourth-year medical student going into the match. I’m very invested in this.” Read more.

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