DO Day on the Hill 2026: Advocating for access to care, GME funding and stable physician payment

This spring, I joined osteopathic physicians and medical students from across the country for DO Day in Washington, D.C., as a representative of the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) and Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine  (RVUCOM). I was proud to be joined by outstanding students from RVUCOM along with my colleagues from the ACOI, CEO Karen Caruth and Chief Operating Officer Tim McNichol.

The ACOI was proud to sponsor DO Day, as they are committed to expanding access to high-quality care nationwide. Supporting our wonderful osteopathic medical profession in Washington, D.C., is an experience every DO needs to have at least once in their lifetime.

As a part of the Osteopathic Advocacy Network with the AOA, we met with senators and representatives from Utah to discuss three priorities: stabilizing Medicare physician payments, protecting patient access to care and securing funding for graduate medical education.

We pushed for an end to restrictive step therapy so patients can get the medications they need without unnecessary delays. We urged support for H.R. 879, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, to reverse planned Medicare cuts—because fair payment means physicians can keep caring for Medicare patients. And we advocated for more residency funding through the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, which trains doctors in rural and underserved communities.

Witnessing new perspectives

“I go to DO Day on the Hill to build and maintain relationships with the policymakers in my state,” said Jackson Case, OMS III, a predoctoral osteopathic manipulative medicine fellow from RVUCOM. “After three consecutive years of DO Day attendance, it’s been really rewarding to have legislative staffers recognize our team by name. We have been able to create a direct line between medicine and the people shaping healthcare policy.”

The day was perfect. Cherry blossoms framed the Capitol, the weather was beautiful and the energy was electric. We took a break, grabbed pizza in the hospitality suite, took group photos and felt supported by the energy of our fantastic students. Being around all of them was one of the best experiences I have had as a DO.

“I’ve been attending DO Day on the Hill for three years now as a student, and my first year I was given this perspective: The impact you make today may seem small, but without our voices here on Capitol Hill, the impact would be none,” said Kathryn Werman, OMS III, another RVUCOM student who attended DO Day. “This has resonated with me every year to continue coming back and advocating for my profession, colleagues and future patients. Without our voices, policymakers will make decisions without fully knowing their impact on us as physicians or patients, and standing up for those causes is the reason many of us, including myself, entered the field of medicine originally.”

The staff members from our senators’ and representatives’ offices were delightful and very easy to talk to. Advocating for our osteopathic issues was not stressful and it exposed the more unique and individualized personalities of each of the senators and representatives. 

One thing I remember was walking into Rep. Burgess Owens’ office—his walls were covered in football memorabilia, a cool reminder of his NFL days. It made the whole experience feel more personal. If you have ever felt intimidated by this process, please know that the amazing staff of our Osteopathic Advocacy Network were incredibly helpful. (Shoutout to Chris Hughes, AOA senior director of fundraising and engagement, and Sean Neal, AOA vice president of advocacy and political affairs!)

“I also really value connecting with students and physicians from across the country who care about nonpartisan, patient-centered advocacy,” said Case. “I’m planning to go into a general surgery residency, and this experience has shown me how important it is to stay involved in patient care beyond just clinical work. Advocacy isn’t separate from medicine; it’s an extension of our responsibility to our patients.”

The power of DO connection

“My advice for students is to connect with anyone and everyone, including other students,” said Werman. “Not only will you make impactful connections, but those students you meet and get to know will be the doctors and colleagues whom you reach out to in the future when you’re a practicing doctor one day.”

I loved sharing what sets DOs apart: our whole-person approach, osteopathic manipulative treatment for treating pain without extra meds and our growing impact on primary care. Sixteen of the top 20 medical schools that produce the most primary care physicians are osteopathic medical schools, and over two-thirds of practicing DOs are under age 45. We’re young, we’re growing and we’re ready to help solve the projected 86,000-physician shortage by 2036.

“My advice to other students is to ask as many questions as you can,” encouraged Case. “Don’t be afraid to get uncomfortable … that’s where the most growth happens. I hope to see you at the next DO Day.”

Joining the Osteopathic Advocacy Network reminded me why I chose this path—to care for whole people, serve rural communities and keep osteopathic medicine thriving.

Related reading:

Swimming through a sea of white coats: Finding my voice in advocacy 

5 ways to get involved in advocacy as a medical student