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.
- FAIR Act Coalition Letter - More than 70 organizations support the FAIR Act and are ready to advance the bill.
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
May 05, 2025
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Dr. Mehmet Oz Sworn in as CMS Administrator
May 05, 2025
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Medical Research Cuts Focus of Bipartisan Senate Appropriations Hearing
May 05, 2025
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New Executive Order Seeks to Overhaul Accreditation System
May 05, 2025
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Save the Date for AACOM Advocacy Day 2025
May 05, 2025
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Save Grad PLUS Loans—Act Now, Before It's Too Late!
May 05, 2025
Recent Public Statements
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AACOM-AOA Submit Joint Negotiated Rulemaking Comments on PSLF, PAYE and ICR Programs (pdf)
May 06, 2025
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AACOM Signs CHF Coalition Letter Urging Appropriations Leaders to Reject Proposed FY26 HHS Budget Cuts (pdf)
April 25, 2025
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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
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