March 9, 2012:
Nearly 1,000 DOs and osteopathic medical students gathered in Washington, D.C., on March 8, 2012, for DO Day on Capitol Hill, the largest osteopathic advocacy event of the year. During the morning's briefing session, guest speakers Senator Joe Manchin, D-WV, and Representative Bill Cassidy, MD, R-LA, spoke about their roles and responsibilities as elected leaders.
DO Day participants then walked to Capitol Hill in their white coats for a series of meetings with their members of Congress. Topics covered during meetings with lawmakers included expanding the physician workforce, ensuring adequate funding for graduate medical education, and reforming the professional liability insurance market.