DO Day on Capitol Hill: Celebrating success and looking ahead

This year’s DO Day on Capitol Hill was a resounding success, as hundreds of osteopathic physicians, students and advocates came together to make their voices heard in the halls of Congress. The AOA is proud of the passion and commitment demonstrated by participants, and we are excited to share some of the key accomplishments and moments from the event.

DO Day advocates focused on three critical legislative initiatives that directly impact the osteopathic profession and the broader health care landscape:

Protecting patient access to care and physician practices by advocating for positive updates to Medicare physician payment through the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474) Creating a safe working environment for physicians and other healthcare workers by advocating for the Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act (H.R. 2584/S. 2768) Alleviating financial burdens of student debt by encouraging Congress to support the REDI Act (S. 704/H.R. 1202)

The dedication shown by our advocates has already begun to make an impact. Several lawmakers expressed their support for these measures, acknowledging the critical role that osteopathic physicians play in the health care system. The discussions were not only fruitful but also served as a crucial reminder of the power of collective action.

While we celebrate these successes, it is vital to recognize that our work is not done. Health care is an ever-evolving field, and policies must continuously adapt to meet new challenges. We need more osteopathic physicians and students to join our advocacy efforts and you can help today.

Using our Advocacy Action Center, help bolster our DO Day advocacy efforts by sending your lawmakers an email on the three issues we advocated for on Capitol Hill.

As we look to the future, the AOA remains committed to supporting our community in these advocacy efforts. We will continue to provide resources, training and support to all who wish to get involved. If you missed the virtual content for DO Day on Capitol Hill, don’t worry, we have you covered! You can watch the on-demand advocacy content and presentations by registering for DO Day.

Thank you to everyone who participated in DO Day on Capitol Hill. Your advocacy is essential, and it is through your continued commitment that we will see lasting and meaningful change.