2024 advocacy year in review: Advancing the osteopathic profession

The AOA achieved significant advocacy milestones in 2024, which couldn’t have been done without the collective voice of the osteopathic profession and our advocates. Through the Osteopathic Advocacy Network (OAN), the AOA kept our advocates engaged and informed through monthly public policy roundtables, newsletters, action alerts and attending osteopathic conferences, as well as many activities and publications.

Federal advocacy highlights

The AOA sent more than 75 letters to Congress, the administration and other policymakers on issues that relate to our key federa l priorities. In 2024, grassroots engagement flourished as 1,282 advocates sent 4,366 actions to Congress on critical campaigns, including:

Preventing cuts to Medicare physician payment and advocating for an inflationary update to help protect patient access to care and physician practices;
Supporting the multi-year reauthorization of the THCGME program;
Creating a safe working environment for physicians and other health care workers by advocating for the Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act;
Alleviating financial burdens of student debt by encouraging Congress to support the REDI Act;
And many other critical issues that impact the osteopathic profession.

State-level advocacy

The AOA’s state advocacy efforts in 2024 demonstrated the power of collaboration with our state and specialty affiliates. Together, we sent 27 letters in 13 states, partnered on 10 grassroots campaigns, and inspired more than 800 individuals to send 2,000 individual actions to state lawmakers. This collective advocacy on our state advocacy priorities resulted in an impressive 82% success rate.

Major wins for the osteopathic profession: State & federal

Our collective efforts successfully opposed several harmful legislative proposals:

Osteopathic manipulative treatment: Successfully included report language in the FY25 LHHS funding legislation that encourages CMS to cover non-pharmacologic treatments for pain management, such as OMT.
Inclusion of the osteopathic profession in various bills and regulation.
Numerous positives updates to the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, including extending payment parity between telehealth and in-person services.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) finalized its rule banning non-compete clauses in employment contracts after submitting comments to the FTC explaining the impact on the osteopathic profession.
West Virginia: Prevented the elimination of the osteopathic medical board, safeguarding professional self-regulation.
Massachusetts: Halted the creation of an unproven licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians licensed in “any country.”
New Hampshire: Blocked attempts to allow PAs to practice independently and optometrists to perform risky eye surgeries.
Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin: Defeated inappropriate scope of practice expansion proposals.
Michigan: Helped delay legislation that raises caps on noneconomic damages to as high as $3 million.

This is just a sample of the many achievements the AOA has accomplished with your support. Don’t miss the 2025 Advocacy Report for highlights of other advocacy programs and DOs making a difference. Our success is built on strong partnerships with our state and specialty affiliates.

International engagement

The AOA secured a major win with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), recognizing AOA board certification and residency programs as equivalent. Additionally, the Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA), with AOA leadership, renewed its WHO partnership and advanced global osteopathic standards.

Through tireless advocacy, the AOA and its affiliates have reinforced the profession’s influence, ensuring better policies for osteopathic physicians and their patients. Here’s to continuing this momentum in 2025!