Advocacy in Action - DO Day on The Hill

The ACOS member participation in the AOA DO Day on the Hill showed the importance of the surgeon advocate to the AOA and Members of Congress. Members from the Government Affairs Committee attended DO Day following the committee meeting. Participating members included Past President and Committee Chair James Johnson, D.O., FACOS, Zachary Brown, D.O, David Wright, III, D.O., FACOS, Robert Rappel, D.O., J.D., FACOS, Joseph Haydu, D.O., FACOS, and David Dellinger, D.O., FACOS. ACOS President Ray Morrison, DO, FACOS and Past President Valerie Sheridan, D.O., FACOS attended with their respective College of Osteopathic Medicine students. Other ACOS members in attendance included Carisa Champion D.O., JD.

Members met with their Members of Congress and their respective staff. Many were able to discuss issues with the healthcare system and how the Congressional decisions are impacting their profession. The main issue the AOA advocated on was continuing to fund Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education (THCGME). Congress approved additional funding in its omnibus bill at the end of March. ACOS members also able to attend these meetings with medical students who were taking part in DO Day.

I would like to thank the members who took time out of their busy schedules and came to Washington, DC to participate in DO Day on The Hill. I look forward to next year as the ACOS continues to increase its advocacy efforts and its voice in the healthcare policy arena.