ACOI, with the guidance of its Government Affairs Committee, endeavors to promote and protect the interests of its members and the practice of osteopathic medicine. ACOI interacts with Congress and regulatory agencies, and also participates in coalitions with like-minded organizations to advance its advocacy agenda which was developed with the input of ACOI members. Current priorities include working to ensure Medicare physician payment adequacy, strengthening the osteopathic physician workforce, and improving patient access to recommend medical care. Take Action.
ACOI Advocacy Agenda
2025-2026
| Medicare Physician Payment Adequacy | ACOI supports policies that uphold value-based, high-quality care. ACOI promotes Medicare physician payment adequacy, fairness, stability and predictability, including through annual inflationary updates to reflect practice costs. Policies that support the unique challenges and needs of solo and small group physician practices and those located in rural and medically underserved areas are among ACOI’s priorities, including the expansion of patient access to telemedicine services through Medicare payment policy. |
| Osteopathic Physician Workforce | ACOI advocates for policies that strengthen the osteopathic physician workforce, including policies that recognize the osteopathic medical degree and promote acceptance of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) for application to ACGME programs. ACOI supports policies and funding for programs that address health care workforce shortages and gaps, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Reduction of administratively burdensome rules and regulations is also necessary to prevent physician burnout that leads to early retirement and added pressure on an already strained physician workforce. ACOI recognizes that advance practice professionals (APPs) can help meet workforce needs as part of physician-led health care teams and in a manner that respects the comparative differences in the education, training, and expertise of physicians and APPs. |
| Patient Access to Care | ACOI calls for actions by policymakers and insurance companies to eliminate barriers to patient access to timely care. Utilization management tools that interfere with physician medical decision-making, such as step-therapy, non-medical switching and prior authorization, require guardrails that protect against patient harm. Preserving and expanding access to affordable and comprehensive health care coverage for all Americans is a centerpiece of ACOI’s health care policy and advocacy efforts. Enhancement of health care benefits, such as maternal and mental health and food as medicine, and protecting Medicaid funding are critical to improving population health and reducing health disparities. |
| Population Health & Prevention | ACOI supports critical investments in public health education, awareness, outreach, and reporting to reduce the burden of chronic disease in the United States. Investments in and access to preventive care must continue, including “Affordable Care Act” coverage of preventive services without patient cost-sharing. ACOI also supports increased investment in pandemic preparedness and combating antimicrobial resistance. |
| Augmented Intelligence | ACOI advocates for policies and reasonable governance of AI in the delivery of health care and in the advancement of public health. Governance should uphold patient privacy; protect against bias, patient discrimination and provider liability; and lead to improved patient experience and outcomes. ACOI also works to ensure reimbursement policies are applied fairly and protect against the devaluation of physician work. |
| Medical Research & Clinical Trials | ACOI advocates for strong federal funding to medical research and clinical trials that advance scientific knowledge. Federal investments in medical research and its infrastructure support the pipeline of future scientists and ensures the United States remains a global leader in medical innovation. |