American College of Osteopathic Internists

This week, Rep. Julie Johnson (TX-32) and Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17) announced the introduction of Prior Authorization Reform for Autoimmune & Blood Disorders Act (H.R. 9192). This bipartisan legislation limits the number of prior authorizations required by private health insurance plans to one per year for patients with autoimmune diseases or blood disorders. This is vital for reducing treatment interruptions for these patients.

ACOI has endorsed this bill, alongside several other organizations including the American Medical Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.

Thank you to Reps. Johnson & Lawler for introducing this incredibly important legislation! Read more in Rep. Johnson’s press release:

Johnson, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Prior Authorization Reform for Autoimmune & Blood Disorders Act WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32) and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) announced the introduction of their bipartisan Prior Authorization Reform for Autoimmune & Blood Disorders Act.

DO Day 2026: Advocating for access to care, GME funding and more Laura Rosch, DO, shares her DO Day experience along with the perspectives of two osteopathic medical students who attended the advocacy event.

Kardie Tobb, DO, FACOI, has been busy lately, building upon her work in cardiology and internal medicine to serve as a voice for others. Her positive, forward-thinking mindset has taken her to places she herself said she’s never imagined, and her gratitude for the support she’s received—as well as the way she pays it forward—speaks volumes.

Dr. Tobb's ACOI membership has led to becoming a Fellow, as well as an active committee participant, about which she said: “For me, it’s about being a part of the community—a community I chose based on its merits of support, empowerment, education, and advocacy, and also for opportunities to be of service to others.”

Read more of her story on the ACOI blog! https://www.acoi.org/blog/voices-across-acoi-kardie-tobb-do-facoi

Advocacy update! Starting on Jan. 1, 2027, regulations kick in that require certain health plans to implement and maintain Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that support electronic prior authorization. These specific health plans are regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

CMS has encouraged physicians to start preparing for this change now. To begin, visit the CMS electronic prior authorization web page: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/electronic-prior-authorization/overview

You can learn more on the ACOI blog: https://www.acoi.org/blog/cms-encourages-providers-prepare-e-prior-authorization

CMS Encourages Providers to Prepare for e-Prior Authorization | American College of Osteopathic Internists Starting January 1, 2027, certain health plans regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) must implement and maintain Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to support electronic prior authorization.

“I remember attending my first Annual Convention. It was in Tampa, Florida, my home city. There were hundreds of osteopathic internal medicine physicians gathering from across the country. I had never seen anything like it. Most of the people there were complete strangers to me, yet something about them felt familiar. I felt at ease and at home.”

In his newest column, Watson Ducatel, DO, FACOI, shares the transformative experience of attending the Annual Convention in-person for the first time, and why it matters that we continue to gather in this way. Read more on the ACOI blog: https://www.acoi.org/blog/acoi-2026-connect-intention

Ready to register? Learn more about ACOI 2026 and save your spot today at https://www.acoi.org/acoi2026

"The Annual Convention is more than an educational meeting. It is an opportunity to reconnect with one another, and with the shared purpose that defines ACOI. It is where learning becomes dialogue, mentorship happens organically, and professional relationships grow stronger through genuine human connection. From the lecture hall to informal conversations between sessions, this is where our community comes to life."

This month's Letter from our President Damon Baker, DO, MACOI, speaks powerfully to how meaningful it is to show up for one another as a community, and especially for the Annual Convention.

Read more on the ACOI blog: https://www.acoi.org/blog/power-showing-palm-springs

We’re proud to announce that the ACOI Education team, along with ACOPF, has received Bronze in the Telly Awards’ General-Simulations category! They won for the implicit bias simulations developed for the De-stress Pain Management course. Congratulations to all who contributed!

Learn more about the Telly Awards and the course: https://www.tellyawards.com/winners/2026/immersive-interactive-mixed/general-simulations/de-stress-pain-management/364604/

Don’t forget: the 2026 Student Poster Contest, Resident/Fellow Poster Contest, and the Call for Faculty Poster Abstracts are open for submissions! This is your opportunity to highlight new discoveries, case studies, and knowledge from the past year that can serve and inspire others.

The submission deadline is July 24, 2026. All poster and research presentations will be held during ACOI 2026, October 7-10, in Palm Springs, California, at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa.

Interested? Find out more at https://www.acoi.org/blog/share-your-research-2026-poster-contests-call-abstracts

Advocacy update: A new federal transparency requirement is making health plan prior authorization data publicly available for the first time—including for many Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicaid managed care, CHIP, and Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans.

ACOI has endorsed the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. This would require MA plans to make this prior authorization data—including approvals and denials—available by service and item, and add much-needed transparency to current requirements.

We encourage members to contact their Congressional representatives through the ACOI Action Center and ask them to pass this legislation! More details on this are available at https://www.acoi.org/blog/insurers-make-prior-authorization-data-available-public

Take action now: https://www.acoi.org/advocacy/take-action

Take Action | American College of Osteopathic Internists CURRENT ACTION CAMPAIGNS    CAPITOL ROUNDS   AGENDA & CORRESPONDENCE    FIND YOUR LEGISLATORS    FIND LEGISLATION    

Nominations are open for the 2026 Robert G. Good, DO, MACOI Student Leadership Award! This annual award recognizes an outstanding osteopathic medical student leader who exemplifies the dedication, commitment, and selfless service that is the hallmark of Dr. Robert G. Good’s professional career. ACOI members who are current students at an osteopathic medical school accredited by the American Osteopathic Association are eligible to be nominated.

The call for nominations is open through June 30, 2026. Learn more and apply: https://www.acoi.org/membership/honors-and-awards/robert-good