As one of the nation’s largest health coverage programs, Medicaid provides essential care to millions of low-income families, children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. However, current proposals in Congress could jeopardize that access. Lawmakers are considering sweeping changes—including work requirements, eligibility restrictions and a moratorium on new provider taxes—that could reduce flexibility for physician reimbursement and increase administrative burdens.

Dr. Hubka discussed the essential role osteopathic physicians play in delivering care to Medicaid patients, especially in underserved and rural communities where access is already fragile. With congressional negotiations on budget reconciliation underway, the AOA is working to ensure that any changes to Medicaid strengthen—not weaken—this vital safety net.

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• Nevada: The AOA and the Nevada Osteopathic Medical Association opposed Senate Bill 78, which would eliminate the state’s independent board of osteopathic medicine and place DOs under a joint regulatory board with chiropractors. The bill also mislabels chiropractors as “physicians”—a title that requires years of medical education and residency. The AOA mobilized grassroots by urging Nevada members to tell their story during a hearing and why opposing this bill was important. While our grassroots initiatives were temporarily successful, we anticipate this bill to be reintroduced with various amendments.
• Michigan: A bill introduced in the House would allow nurse practitioners to practice independently without physician supervision. The AOA and Michigan Osteopathic Association strongly oppose the measure and encouraged DOs to attend the House Health Policy Committee hearing and submit comments. White coat presence at the hearing and grassroots engagement highlighted the need to maintain team-based care that includes physician oversight.
• Oklahoma: Two bills—H.B.2584 and H.B.2289—would grant independent practice authority to physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses. The AOA and the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association launched a campaign to oppose these efforts, stressing that years of medical education, postgraduate training and experience cannot be replaced by shortcut pathways that risk patient safety.
• Texas: The AOA and Texas Osteopathic Medical Association submitted a joint letter to the Texas House Committee on Public Health opposing H.B.3794, which would allow APRNs to practice independently without any physician supervision. The letter emphasized the vast differences in education and clinical training between APRNs and physicians, arguing that allowing APRNs to independently practice medicine would lower standards of care and jeopardize patient safety. The bill would authorize individuals with as little as a two-year online degree to perform complex medical decision-making without the rigorous training physicians complete over 7-11 years.

These state-level actions show the critical role of advocacy in preserving quality care and ensuring that patients benefit from the full training and expertise of physician-led teams.

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Unfortunately, the bill would also terminate the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility of residents participating in approved programs. The AOA joined over 70 national organizations in urging Congress to protect the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. PSLF is a critical recruitment and retention tool for physicians, teachers and first responders, particularly in underserved areas. The coalition letter emphasized PSLF’s role in ensuring access to care and services in rural and low-income communities. Restricting eligibility or cutting resources would jeopardize a program that has helped thousands of public servants continue their careers while managing student loan debt.

As the budget reconciliation process moves forward, AOA will continue to monitor this legislation and take action as additional details emerge.

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Key recommendations include making several voluntary guidance elements—such as detailed device descriptions, risk assessments and data management protocols—mandatory. The AOA calls for clearer labeling that discloses the data used to train AI tools, including demographics and geographic scope, to help physicians assess appropriateness for their patient populations.

The AOA also encourages the FDA to strengthen validation and post-market monitoring requirements, noting that bias and underperformance often emerge after deployment. Without adequate oversight, state-level patchwork regulation could increase costs and hinder innovation. To foster trust and adoption, the AOA advocates for improved transparency, equity and performance standards throughout the AI device lifecycle. The AOA remains committed to collaborating with the FDA to ensure safe, reliable AI integration in health care.

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Congratulations to the winners:

• 1st place: Sophie Hockran, OMS IV – Targeted Review of Underutilized Solutions and Technologies in Rural Health Care
• 2nd place: Ryan Strickland, OMS II – Advancing Iowa’s Healthcare Workforce: Physician Loan Repayment Policy Reform
• 3rd place: Timothy Thompson, OMS II, and Walter Johnson, OMS I – The Orphan Drug Act: Challenges to Access and Affordability for Chronic Rare Disease Patients

The AOA looks forward to continuing this inaugural event which demonstrates the power of student engagement in advocacy and policy research.

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These outstanding leaders exemplify the power of advocacy in advancing osteopathic medicine. This year’s recipients of the advocacy awards are Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OPAC) chair Ronnie Martin, DO, FACOFP dist.; Brianne Howerton, DO; Syed Rizvi, OMS IV; and the West Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association (WVOMA), accepted by president Michael Antolini, DO.

In addition, the AOA also recognized members of Congress who champion osteopathic medicine and policy that benefits the osteopathic profession and patients across America. This year, the award was given to Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD, and Rep. Jimmy Panetta.

Uniting for the future of osteopathic medicine

Thank you to the 2025 Affiliate Members who sponsored DO Day 2025. Your support reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to high-quality care and advancing policies that safeguard the osteopathic profession. By partnering together, we amplify our collective voice and create lasting impact.

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This year’s advocacy agenda focused on:

• Protecting physician practices by supporting H.R. 879 to prevent harmful Medicare payment cuts;
• Expanding access to care by safeguarding Medicaid funding and preserving telehealth flexibilities;
• Supporting future physicians through the reauthorization of the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program;
• Promoting osteopathic medicine by educating Congress on the distinct, whole-person approach of DOs.

These face-to-face conversations are critical in shaping health policy and ensuring lawmakers understand the unique value of osteopathic medicine. The momentum for these issues continues to grow, including H.R. 879 which has 155 co-sponsors and gained 12 additional cosponsors after DO Day, demonstrating the power of our advocacy.

But our work doesn’t stop when DO Day ends. Following DO Day, Syed Rizvi, OMS IV, and recipient of the Individual Excellence in Advocacy Award (Student), joined his U.S. Representative, Shri Thanedar (MI-13), at a district town hall to continue the conversation back home.

Rizvi spoke about the impact of issues discussed during DO Day—like Medicare payment reform and cuts to Medicaid—and how these policies affect both physicians and patients in the district. This powerful example of in-district advocacy bridges the gap between Washington, D.C., and the communities osteopathic physicians serve every day.

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This failure to act jeopardizes independent practices and patients access to care. Physicians cannot continue to bear the burden of payment cuts year after year. Our patients deserve better.

That is why I am asking you to join the AOA in our advocacy efforts to voice your concerns by emailing your members of Congress today to demand action to stop the cuts to Medicare physician payment.

Take action

Your advocacy is critical. Through our grassroots efforts, osteopathic physicians and students are speaking out—but we must keep the pressure on. Next month, DO Day on Capitol Hill will bring advocates face-to-face with members of Congress to carry this momentum forward in person. The power of engagement—both virtually and in-person—can be a true driver of real policy change.

Your voice is essential in this fight. Thank you for taking action to protect the osteopathic profession and the future of patient care.

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