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Please take a moment to review the following letters, policy briefings and position papers from the American Osteopathic Association.

• "Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act" HR 1256: Letter to Chairman Waxman - In 1990, the AOA House of Delegates adopted a policy that states “the AOA strongly recommends that all Federal and state health agencies continue to take positive action to discourage the American public from using cigarettes and other tobacco products.” This policy was revised and reaffirmed in 2002. Additionally, the AOA adopted and ratified policies that “endorse a ban on all advertising of tobacco”. Read the full letter HERE (pdf).

• "Primary Care Volunteer Incentive Act of 2009": Letter to Congresswoman Castor - Under the “Primary Care Volunteer Incentive Act of 2009,” primary care physicians volunteering at least four hours per week for five years at a health center in a primary care shortage area would be eligible for up to $5,000 annually to be applied to medical school debt. This program would be similar to, but separate from, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and would offer a significant incentive for students to pursue a career in primary care. Read the full letter HERE (pdf).

• "MedPAC: Report to Congress - Medicare Payment Policy": Letter to Chairman Rangel and Ranking Member Camp - The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) would like to thank you and Members of the Committee for the opportunity to provide comment on the recently released Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) “Report to Congress: Medicare Payment Policy.” Overall, we are encouraged by the Commission’s attention to such issues as updates to the physician payment formula and the need to address the looming shortage of primary care physicians. Read the full letter HERE (pdf).

• "Physician Workforce and Graduate Medical Education Enhancement Act" HR 914: Policy Briefing - H.R. 914 aims to improve access to health care by increasing the number of physicians trained in high-need specialties (family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, preventive medicine, pediatrics, or behavioral and mental health) by expanding the nation’s graduate medical education training capacity to a larger number of suburban and rural hospitals. Read the bull briefing HERE (pdf).