AACOM Government Relations 118th Congress in Review

Ensuring GME Parity for Osteopathic Graduates

• The Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act, H.R. 751, was reintroduced on February 2023 by U.S. Representatives Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Sam Graves (R-MO) and Jared Golden (D-ME). The bill requires federally funded graduate medical education (GME) programs to equitably accept and assess DO and MD residency candidates. The FAIR Act received 17 total cosponsors in the 118th Congress, and 73 national and state healthcare organizations signed the coalition support letter.

Expanding Community-Based Training Opportunities

• The Community Training, Education and Access for Medical Students (TEAMS) Act, H.R. 7258/S. 3968, was introduced in February 2024 by U.S. Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV) and Ann Kuster (D-NM) and Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Robert Casey (D-PA). The bill creates a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant program to expand clinical rotations in rural and underserved areas. The Community TEAMS Act received 26 House and Senate cosponsors, and 51 national and state healthcare organizations signed the coalition support letter.
• AACOM secured report language in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 House and Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHSE) Appropriations Bills that encourages HRSA to facilitate opportunities for community-based medical school clinical rotations in rural and underserved areas. FY25 House LHHSE Report 118-585 (page 34) and FY25 Senate LHHSE Report 118-207 (page 44)

Increasing Osteopathic Research Funding from the National Institutes of Health

• AACOM secured a bipartisan, bicameral congressional letter to the NIH Director, Monica Bertagnolli, MD, in September 2024. The letter received 37 signers, an increase from the 26 signers on AACOM’s 2022 letter to the NIH acting director.
• AACOM secured report language in the FYs 24 and 25 House and Senate LHHSE Appropriations Bills that encourages the NIH to expand funding opportunities for osteopathic researchers and COMs. FY24 House LHHSE Explanatory Materials (page 102) and FY24 Senate LHHSE Report 118–84 (page 129); FY25 House LHHSE Report 118-585 (page 121) and FY25 Senate LHHSE Report 118-207 (pages 149-150)

Elevating Osteopathic Principles and Practice

• AACOM secured report language in the FY25 Senate Department of Defense Appropriations bill directing the DoD Secretary to provide a report detailing how the DoD can enhance research into the efficacy of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in treating servicemember pain and other combat-related injuries. FY25 Senate Defense Report 118-204 (page 282)
• The FY25 Senate LHHSE Appropriations Bill asks CMS to expand the use and coverage of OMT for back and other pain. FY25 Senate LHHSE Report 118-207 (page 183)
• AACOM secured report language in the FY24 Senate Department of Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill that recognizes the importance of OMT and other therapies for treating veteran pain and encourages the VA to expand the use of alternative treatments to pain management. FY24 Senate VA Report 118-43 (page 35)

Expanding Osteopathic Influence and Champions

• More than 700 advocates registered for AACOM Advocacy Day 2023 and 2024, and more than 400 participated in meetings with their congressional offices. There were 379 congressional meetings with offices from 41 different states, and 31 meetings that included Members of Congress over the two events.
• 11 House and Senate cosponsors joined H.Res.498, S.Res.283 recognizing AACOM’s 125th anniversary and the doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) who devote their time and skills to patients and communities across the United States.
• AACOM partnered with the American College of Osteopathic Internists to host a congressional briefing, “Rural and Underserved Health: DOs Mending the Breach.” The briefing was presented in partnership with the Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus and with support from the National Rural Health Association. The briefing included presentations on the history of osteopathic medicine, the benefits of the community-based distributed model of education and the role the osteopathic profession plays in serving rural and underserved populations.
• AACOM nominates distinguished osteopathic leaders to federal advisory committees, and the following AACOM-nominated candidates were appointed to positions.
  • Erika Linden, MA (DMUCOM) Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on Program Integrity and Institutional Quality (ED)
  • Millicent King Channell, DO (Rowan-Virtua SOM) National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (ED)
  • Brookshield Laurent, DO (NYITCOM at Arkansas State) Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry (HHS/HRSA)
  • Lisa R. Nash, DO, MS-HPEd (UNTHSC/TCOM) Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry (HHS/HRSA)

Increasing Rural GME Training 

• AACOM worked with the rural GME coalition to introduce the bipartisan Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2023, S. 230, H.R. 834. The bill, which would increase the physician workforce in rural areas by improving Medicare reimbursement for rural residency training, gained 29 House and Senate cosponsors during the 118th Congress.

Reducing Institutional Burdens 

• AACOM joined many organizations in the higher education community in opposition to the College Cost Reduction Act (CCRA), H.R. 6951. The CCRA would have overhauled many higher education programs, including eliminating the Grad PLUS Loan Program, capping federal loan amounts to $200,000 per borrower, limiting student loan repayment plan options and establishing new risk-sharing payments for institutions of higher education. While it was not passed in the 118th Congress, AACOM will continue to monitor and advocate against these policies should they be considered in the 119th Congress.
• AACOM commented on U.S. Department of Education (ED) proposed rules, including on Financial Value Transparency (FVT), Gainful Employment (GE) and Distance Education. AACOM highlighted the impact ED’s proposals could have on the osteopathic medical education system and called for accommodations for clinical training and residency requirements.
  • In response to AACOM’s comments on their distance education proposal, ED clarified that clinical rotations are not considered distance education.
  • The FVT/GE reporting requirements were delayed until 2025 in response to requests by AACOM and others.