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House Committee Adopts NIH Osteopathic Research Language

Published November 14, 2023

By AACOM Government Relations

Advocacy Appropriations Federal Policy OME Advocate Osteopathic Recognition Osteopathic Representation Osteopathic Research

On November 3, 2023, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHSE) released explanatory materials (page 102) to accompany the LHHSE spending bill (H.R. 5894) that again attests to the importance and need for osteopathic research and representation within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The language was sought by AACOM and builds on continued advocacy and past appropriations cycle victories. Similar language was already included in the Senate Report 118-84 (page 129) accompanying S. 2624, as amended.

“Osteopathic medical schools educate 25 percent of all medical students and more research involving doctors of osteopathic medicine is needed to enhance primary care and improve healthcare for rural and underserved populations. The Committee urges NIH, in conjunction with national stakeholders, to consider how to best 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.”

The House is expected to bring H.R. 5894 directly to the floor for a vote as early as this week, bypassing a full Committee vote. To learn more about other programs of importance to the osteopathic community, please review AACOM’s analysis of the House explanatory materials.

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