Largest-Ever AACOM Advocacy Day Brings Osteopathic Medical Education Priorities to Capitol Hill

More than 700 advocates unite to advance residency fairness, expand clinical training and strengthen the physician workforce

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Bethesda, MD) – Today, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) and hundreds of advocates from across the osteopathic medical education community are meeting with Congress as part of AACOM Advocacy Day, the largest in the event’s history.

More than 700 advocates from 74 osteopathic medical school campuses registered for this year’s event, with more than 550 participants taking part in more than 250 congressional meetings. Advocates are urging Congress to advance bipartisan legislation focused on fairness in residency selection, expanded clinical training opportunities and a stronger physician workforce, particularly in rural and medically underserved communities.

“Record participation is worth celebrating, but what matters most is what such strong participation represents, an osteopathic medical education community that is increasingly engaged, united and ready to advocate for the patients and communities we serve,” said AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO. “When our students, educators, physicians and leaders share their experiences directly with Congress, they humanize the challenges facing our medical students and physician workforce.”

Today, advocates are calling on Congress to:

• Promote fairness in graduate medical education through the Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act, H.R. 2314 / S. 2715, which would increase transparency and help ensure osteopathic medical students receive fair consideration in the residency selection process.
• Expand community-based clinical training through the Community TEAMS Act, H.R. 3885 / S. 3989, which would support clinical rotations in rural and medically underserved communities, helping strengthen the physician pipeline and expand access to care.

Advocates also heard from a bipartisan, bicameral group of congressional leaders who highlighted the contributions of osteopathic medical education and the importance of continued engagement with policymakers.

AACOM Advocacy Day has helped build congressional momentum for both legislative priorities. Since last year’s event, 27 bipartisan Members of Congress have signed on as cosponsors of the Community TEAMS Act, which is now supported by more than 70 national and state healthcare organizations. The FAIR Act has added 13 congressional cosponsors since last Advocacy Day and is now supported by 75 national and state organizations.

That progress builds on sustained engagement by osteopathic medical students, educators, physicians and leaders, who have shared firsthand experiences with policymakers about barriers in residency selection, challenges securing clinical training opportunities and physician workforce needs in communities across the country.

“Every congressional meeting is an opportunity to build understanding and momentum,” Dr. Cain added. “When members of the osteopathic medical education community share their experiences and ask Congress to act, they help shape policies that can strengthen medical education and improve access to care for years to come.”

For more information about AACOM Advocacy Day, please visit the event web page.

About AACOM:

Founded in 1898, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is the leading voice for the education and training of physicians who practice osteopathic medicine in settings across the medical spectrum—from primary care to the full range of medical specialties. We support our member colleges of osteopathic medicine in their efforts to attract and train individuals who are fueled by a desire to make a difference in our healthcare system by treating the whole person and building a future emphasizing health and wellness for all people. Today, more than 38,000 future physicians—close to 30 percent of all U.S. medical students—are being educated at one of our 48 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine, encompassing 75 teaching locations in 36 states. To learn more about AACOM, please visit our website.

Contacts:

Joseph Shapiro
Director of Media Relations
(240) 938-0746
jshapiro@aacom.org

Christine DeCarlo
Senior Manager of Media and Public Affairs
(202) 603-1026
cdecarlo@aacom.org