ACOI President Promotes Osteopathic Medicine on Capitol Hill

ACOI President Robert T. Hasty, DO, FACOI, FACP, was on Capitol Hill May 22 to brief Congress about the critical role of osteopathic medicine in fulfilling the health care needs of Americans across the country, and in rural and underserved communities specifically.

“A Doctor of Osteopathic medicine is one of the most valuable degrees in America in terms of job placement,” Dr. Hasty told congressional staffers at a briefing which ACOI hosted in collaboration with the American Association of College of Osteopathic Medicine. “But, we need to do more to increase the physician pipeline in America, including by funding more residency positions.”

 

The briefing was attended by more than 40 congressional staff. Presenting alongside Dr. Hasty were AACOM President and Chief Executive Office Robert A. Cain, DO, FACOI, FAODME, and Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP, President of Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Hasty was joined on Capitol Hill by ACOI Government Affairs Committee Chair Jeanette Kelley, DO, FACOI. Together they also visited key congressional offices to talk about ACOI policy priorities, including those related to physician payment, prior authorization, and the osteopathic physician workforce.

From left: Jeanette Kelley, DO FACOI, Government Affairs Chair; Karen Caruth, MBA, Executive Director; Robert Hasty, DO, FACOI, FACP, ACOI President; and Tim McNichol, JD, Deputy Executive Director.