On July 27, 2023, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHSE) funding bill (S. 2624) by an overwhelming vote of 26-2. The report (page 129) again recognizes the importance of osteopathic research and representation at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), noting:
 | “The Committee recognizes that increased access to research funding for the osteopathic profession will significantly bolster NIH’s capacity to support robust recovery from the COVID–19 pandemic, address health disparities in rural and medically-underserved populations, and advance research in primary care, prevention, and treatment. The Committee urges NIH to consider how best to incorporate colleges of osteopathic medicine into research activities and involvement of their researchers on NIH National Advisory Councils and study sections to have better representation of the osteopathic medicine field.” This language was sought by AACOM and builds on legislation from past appropriations cycles. AACOM has engaged in a comprehensive strategy to expand osteopathic research and representation at the NIH that began in 2020 and has resulted in language in LHHSE reports over the past three years, as well as a letter to NIH from 27 Members of Congress. To learn more about other programs of importance to the osteopathic medical education (OME) community, please review AACOM’s analysis of the Senate bill and report. |
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