The AOA is calling on members to help celebrate and strengthen osteopathic advocacy through two exciting opportunities. AOA Advocacy Awards Nominate an outstanding osteopathic advocate for the 2025 AOA Advocacy Awards by Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at 5 p.m. CT. Categories include: Individual Excellence in Advocacy Organizational Excellence in Advocacy Congressional Champion of Osteopathic Medicine … Read More
The AOA, with the Group of Six, submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) opposing a proposed rule that would end the “duration of status” policy for nonimmigrant visa holders, including J-1 physicians in graduate medical education (GME) programs. The comments warned that replacing the current system with a fixed admission period … Read More
On Oct. 1, 2025, Congress failed to pass legislation to continue government funding, triggering disruptions across federal programs and threatening access to critical healthcare services. For osteopathic physicians and their patients, the impact is immediate and significant, including: Telehealth restrictions: With COVID-era flexibilities expired, Medicare patients can no longer broadly access telehealth from home or … Read More
The AOA and its state affiliates are leading efforts to protect patients, strengthen physician-led care and promote public health. Recent developments in South Carolina, Florida and New Jersey highlight the importance of this work. South Carolina: Defending physician-led care On Sept. 10, 2025, the South Carolina Senate considered legislation with major implications for healthcare delivery. … Read More
The AOA is committed to strengthening the pipeline of future physicians by supporting students, residents and early-career doctors. Two recent efforts reflect this work: Expanding graduate medical education (GME) The AOA joined more than 80 organizations in supporting the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 (S. 2439/H.R. 4731). This bipartisan bill would add 14,000 … Read More
The AOA recently submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on two major 2026 proposed rules: the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS). In addition, the AOA organized a specialty affiliate sign-on letter opposing harmful provisions in the MPFS rule. Below are the recent … Read More
The AOA joined the Regulatory Relief Coalition (RRC) and other physician organizations in urging CMS to halt implementation of the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model in Medicare Fee-for-Service. In formal comments to CMS, the coalition warned that the WISeR Model—which would expand prior authorization (PA) requirements—conflicts with the Administration’s stated goal of reducing … Read More
Physician groups decry halt to mRNA vaccine research funding The AOA, alongside four other physician organizations, issued a joint statement expressing alarm over the HHS decision to halt most federal investment in mRNA vaccine research. The letter stated that cutting this funding undermines scientific progress and weakens the nation’s ability to respond to future pandemics … Read More
The AOA joined over 80 physician organizations in opposing S. 2426, the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services (ECAPS) Act. The bill would permit pharmacists to diagnose and treat conditions such as flu, COVID-19, RSV and strep throat. The letter stated that this proposal: Expands beyond pharmacists’ training and expertise Risks misdiagnosis by substituting a … Read More