About Us Advocacy State Advocacy Initiatives

State Advocacy Initiatives

Support system

Raising the profile of osteopathic medicine at the state level

The AOA supports the osteopathic profession by advocating on behalf of DOs and their patients on state-level legislation and regulatory issues.

Partnering with state and specialty affiliate organizations, the AOA tracks legislative issues, compiles research data, develops issue briefs and engages state policymakers in support of the osteopathic medical profession. Key areas of focus include scope of practice, osteopathic recognition and equivalency, pain management, funding to increase care in rural and underserved areas and medical liability reform. Read further for information on our latest efforts and advocacy wins.

State Priority Areas

Scope of Practice & New Licensure Types

  • View the 2024 State Priorities

    Support the physician-led, team-based model of care and uniform, evidence-based licensure pathways for all clinicians based upon scope of practice.

 Osteopathic Equivalency and Recognition

  • Ensure that the osteopathic profession and credentials are recognized as equivalent to their allopathic counterparts.
  • Educate legislators about current osteopathic terminology, and the distinctive philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine.
  • Support DO licensure and regulation by osteopathic medical boards in dual board states.

 Truth in Advertising

  • Support legislation that requires all health care providers to affirmatively communicate their degrees and licensure types to patients, restricts “-ologist” titles to physicians and requires entities offering physician board certification to possess legitimate training and testing requirements.

Public Health

  • Work to increase public awareness and implement evidence-based recommendations and best practices related to public health issues.
  • Support funding to strengthen our public health care infrastructure and workforce, address health care disparities and social determinants of health and establish a robust national strategy to combat future public health emergencies.

Physician Workforce

  • Support legislation that expands the physician workforce by increasing funding for graduate medical education, especially in high-need specialties and locations and expanding financial incentives to facilitate care for the underserved.

Telemedicine

  • Support the delivery of appropriate health care services, including the prescription of controlled substances, through telemedicine and other communications-based technologies.
  • Advocate for coverage and payment parity between these services and similar services delivered in-person.

Prescription Drug Misuse, Abuse and Diversion

  • Support evidence-based approaches that balance the need to curb prescription drug misuse with ensuring access to appropriate, timely health
    care.
  • Support legislation that promotes nonpharmacological pain management modalities, such as osteopathic manipulative treatment.

Access and Affordability

  • Support access to timely, affordable, high-quality care for all patients. This includes:
    • Supporting network adequacy and transparency standards for insurers.
    • Supporting stabilization of state health insurance exchanges and expanding Medicaid.
    • Supporting access to affordable prescription drugs, including by regulating Pharmacy Benefit Managers.
    • Supporting the removal of arbitrary burdens in step therapy and prior authorization.
    • Supporting physician self-regulation by protecting the authority and autonomy of state medical boards, and opposing legislation that
      interferes with professional self-regulation, the physician-patient relationship, or physicians ability to provide evidence-based information and care to their patients.

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (COMPACT)

  • Support enactment of the Compact, which enhances physician license portability and increases patient access to care.

Connect and Get Involved

  • Advocate on behalf of your profession and patients by staying up to date on policy developments and getting involved in your community.

Osteopathic Advocacy Network (OAN)

The AOA is working on your behalf every day, but you are the best advocate for the osteopathic profession and your elected officials must hear from you. Your experience and knowledge can help guide your lawmakers to craft impactful legislation for you and your patients. Learn more.

  • The DO Engage
    AOA members receive The DO Engage newsletter detailing current legislative and regulatory activity, and updates on issues that affect our members.
  • Advocacy Action Alerts
    AOA OAN members receive calls to action to stimulate grassroots engagement when legislative activity takes place that may significantly impact the profession.
  • DO Day on Capitol Hill
    Held each spring, this event serves as the osteopathic family’s premier opportunity to lobby Members of Congress on the issues that are most important to the practice of osteopathic medicine. Learn more.
  • Training in Policy Studies (TIPS) Program
    Training opportunities for osteopathic resident physicians in health policy to support their future engagement in advocacy and policy development on behalf of the profession. Learn more.

 

Back To Top