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The AOA urges Congress to reauthorize the THCGME program in the “CHAMPION Act” to ensure patients in rural and underserved areas continue to get the care they need.
CHICAGO—Oct. 4, 2017— AOA President Mark A. Baker, DO, issued the following statement today:
“As a major contributor to the U.S. physician workforce, through our medical education and postgraduate training accreditation, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) continues to monitor and encourage legislative efforts to establish meaningful solutions to sustain the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program. Therefore, given the current discussions in the House, the AOA strongly encourages Congress to reauthorize the THCGME program in the “CHAMPION Act” to ensure patients in rural and underserved areas continue to get the care they need. Funding for this critical program will expire on Dec. 31, creating uncertainty for thousands of vulnerable patients and the more than 730 resident physicians training in these vital programs.
This provision will stabilize funding for TCHGME residency programs at a per-resident amount that reflects the cost of training and provides additional funding to expand and create new teaching health center programs.
As the professional home of the nation’s nearly 130,000 DOs and osteopathic medical students, the AOA supports legislative solutions that address the primary care physician shortage and puts doctors where they are most needed. We appreciate the bipartisan support for teaching health centers and hope long stability for the program is addressed before the expiration of this measure.”
About the American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 129,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; and is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools. Visit DoctorsThatDO.org to learn more about osteopathic medicine.
Media Contact:
Sheridan Chaney
(312) 202-8043
schaney@osteopathic.org