Representing more than 137,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students, the AOA works to reduce regulatory burdens and improve affordability and access.
Through its National Osteopathic Advocacy Center in Washington, D.C., the AOA promotes policy advancements that benefit DOs and their patients, expand graduate medical training opportunities and promote public health. Our strategy encompasses policy development, lobbying on Capitol Hill, regulatory engagement, and engaging our members and affiliates in grassroots advocacy.
The AOA works to build relationships with policymakers at all levels of government and facilitate the direct voter-to-legislator communication that ultimately delivers the strongest message.
Federal Lobbying: We engage directly with lawmakers to advocate for policies that support the osteopathic profession.
Regulatory Advocacy: We study and evaluate regulatory proposals that could impact the profession, submit comments to federal agencies, and engage directly with federal agencies’ leadership to promote our goals.
Osteopathic Representation on Federal Advisory Committees and Panels: We regularly submit nominations and help create opportunities for DOs to share their unique perspective on federal advisory committees and panels.
Participation in Coalitions: Advocacy is most effective when large groups representing the same interests or point of view collaborate. We work with a wide range of partners in the health care field to amplify our voice.
Campaigns: The American Osteopathic Information Association supports the campaigns of candidates who will further our profession’s goals and values.
Advocacy at the federal level is crucial to promoting the osteopathic profession and translating our philosophy into policy.
Access to Care: The AOA fights to ensure that all patients have access to the care they need. This includes advocating for consumer protections in insurance markets, coverage of essential benefits, and strengthening of entitlement programs. We work to protect and expand benefits and coverage provided by Medicare and Medicaid, and we seek to expand eligibility to Medicaid.
Opioid Addiction Prevention and Treatment: We support legislation that promotes opioid alternatives for pain management such as OMT, funds research on addiction and treatment, and promotes greater access to substance abuse treatment.
Access to Medical Education: The AOA advocates to protect programs crucial for students to finance their medical education, such as Graduate PLUS Loans and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Single GME Accreditation: The AOA is working to achieve a singular, unified accrediting system of graduate medical education programs.
Regulatory Reform: The AOA fights to ensure that our physicians have the flexibility they need in designing treatment, reducing paperwork and reporting requirements, and managing small and independent practices.
Advocate on behalf of your profession and patients by staying up to date on policy developments and getting involved in your community.