Your Voice for Osteopathic Medicine in West Virginia

The West Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association serves as the voice of osteopathic physicians, residents, and medical students across the Mountain State.  Advocacy is central to our mission and to our responsibility to protect the ability of physicians to provide high-quality, patient-centered care.

Decisions made at the West Virginia State Capitol, within state agencies, by licensing and regulatory bodies, and in Washington, D.C., directly affect physicians, medical students, patients, and communities.  WVOMA works to ensure the osteopathic profession has a strong and respected voice wherever those decisions are made.

When decisions affect osteopathic medicine, WVOMA is at the table.

Our Advocacy Priorities

WVOMA advocates for policies that strengthen the osteopathic profession, protect patients, support physicians, and improve healthcare throughout West Virginia.  Our advocacy focuses on:

Protecting the Osteopathic Profession
Preserving the identity, principles, practice rights, professional standards, and appropriate self-governance of Osteopathic Medicine in West Virginia.

Promoting Physician-Led, Team-Based Care
Supporting healthcare delivery models that recognize the education, training, and clinical expertise of physicians while encouraging effective collaboration among all members of the healthcare team.

Protecting the Patient-Physician Relationship
Opposing unnecessary interference in medical decision-making and supporting the ability of physicians and patients to make individualized healthcare decisions based upon evidence, clinical judgment, and informed discussion.

Advancing Patient Safety and Public Health
Supporting sound, evidence-based public policy that protects West Virginians, strengthens prevention efforts, and promotes healthier communities.

Strengthening West Virginia's Physician Workforce
Supporting policies that recruit, train, and retain physicians, particularly in rural and underserved communities, and creating an environment in which physicians can build sustainable careers in West Virginia.

Supporting Osteopathic Medical Education
Advocating for osteopathic medical students, residents, educators, and training programs while strengthening the continuum from medical school through residency and into practice.

Reducing Unnecessary Administrative and Regulatory Burdens
Working to ensure that laws, regulations, and administrative requirements allow physicians to devote their time and expertise to caring for patients rather than unnecessary bureaucracy.

Supporting the Practice of Medicine
Monitoring legislative, regulatory, reimbursement, liability, licensing, and practice issues that affect the ability of osteopathic physicians to care for their patients and communities.

How WVOMA Advocates for You

Advocacy occurs throughout the year, not only during the legislative session.

WVOMA:

• Monitors legislation and regulatory proposals affecting physicians and patients.
• Communicates directly with legislators, state officials, regulatory agencies, and other policymakers.
• Provides testimony, position statements, letters, and physician expertise on healthcare policy.
• Builds relationships with elected officials and policymakers across West Virginia.
• Collaborates with state and national physician organizations when common interests strengthen the collective voice of medicine.
• Works with the American Osteopathic Association on issues affecting the osteopathic profession.
• Keeps members informed about important legislative and regulatory developments.
• Mobilizes physicians, residents, and medical students when their voices are needed.
• Provides opportunities for members to meet directly with legislators and participate in organized physician advocacy.

Advocacy Starts With Physicians

Few voices carry greater credibility on healthcare issues than the physicians who care for patients every day.

Legislators need to understand not only what a proposal says, but how it will affect patients, physicians, medical practices, hospitals, communities, and access to care.  WVOMA helps connect policymakers with the real-world experience of osteopathic physicians practicing throughout West Virginia.

You do not have to be a policy expert to be an effective advocate.  You already have the most important qualification: your experience as a physician, resident, or medical student and your commitment to the patients and communities you serve.

Get Involved

A strong association requires an engaged membership.  WVOMA members can strengthen the voice of osteopathic medicine by:

• Responding to WVOMA legislative action alerts.
• Contacting legislators on priority healthcare issues.
• Developing relationships with elected officials in their communities.
• Participating in physician advocacy and legislative events.
• Providing clinical expertise when legislation affects their specialty or patients.
• Testifying before legislative committees when appropriate.
• Serving on WVOMA committees and contributing to policy development.
• Encouraging colleagues, residents, and medical students to become involved in organized medicine.

When hundreds of osteopathic physicians speak individually with a common purpose, policymakers listen.

Advocacy Through Partnership

Healthcare policy rarely affects only one organization or specialty.  WVOMA works collaboratively with other physician organizations, healthcare stakeholders, and community partners when cooperation can advance patient care and strengthen the practice of medicine.

At the national level, WVOMA works with the American Osteopathic Association and other partners to ensure that the concerns of West Virginia's osteopathic physicians are represented beyond our state's borders.

At home, WVOMA remains committed to ensuring that the osteopathic physician perspective is present in conversations shaping the future of healthcare in West Virginia.

Stay Engaged and Make Your Voice Heard

Healthcare policy is too important for physicians to leave to others.

Whether you contact a legislator, attend an advocacy event, respond to an action alert, provide testimony, or simply help educate a policymaker about what you see in your practice, your participation matters.

WVOMA is your voice. Your involvement makes that voice stronger.