AOA secures language for greater access to OMT in funding bill

Thanks to sustained advocacy efforts by the AOA and our members, Congress recognized the need for greater access to osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). Signed into law on Feb. 3, 2026, the FY26 spending bill states:

“Non-pharmacologic treatments for pain management have shown to be effective in reducing pain and reliance on prescription opioids. The Committee encourages CMS to support access to non-pharmacologic treatments, like osteopathic manipulative treatment and other alternative treatments as appropriate, for back and other pain.”

This language, first included in a Senate appropriations report last summer, highlights growing support for osteopathic medicine and strengthens our efforts to expand coverage for OMT.

Additional AOA health policy priorities in the funding bill include:

Medicare telehealth flexibilities: A 2-year extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities
Alternative payment model (APM): A 1-year reinstatement of the A-APM bonus payment at 3.1% for physicians participating in alternative payment models
Geographic practice cost index (GPCI): Maintaining the national average of 1.0 work GPCI floor through 2026
Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS): Securing a 1-year delay of the CLFS payment cuts, averting a 15% payment reduction to lab services that would have gone into effect on Jan. 31, 2026
Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME):Securing a 4-year reauthorization of the THCGME program with an accumulative increase of $350 million over the current funding level
Preventing maternal deaths: A 5-year reauthorization of state-based maternal mortality review committee
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection: A 5-year reauthorization of grant programs to promote mental health within the healthcare workforce

The AOA will continue leveraging this progress to pursue expanded coverage and long-term policy solutions that benefit osteopathic physicians and the patients they serve.