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AAPM is deeply engaged in advocacy, continuously working to represent the interests of our profession with dedicated AAPM staff, expert consultants, and lobbyists actively monitoring, responding to, and leading initiatives that affect medical physicists.

(January 8, 2026)
AAPM Responds to OSTP Request for Information on Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise
AAPM submitted formal comments to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in response to its Request for Information on Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise. The RFI sought input on federal policies to strengthen U.S. scientific leadership, accelerate discovery and translation, modernize research funding and regulation, and ensure the benefits of federally funded research reach all Americans.

Drawing on the expertise of medical physicists working at the intersection of research, clinical practice, and regulated technology, AAPM emphasized that scientific progress, particularly in healthcare, depends not only on discovery but also on validation, regulatory readiness, workforce capacity, and equitable adoption. The response highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration, evidence-based reforms to grantmaking and peer review, support for high-risk and high-reward research, responsible deployment of artificial intelligence, and risk-based regulatory approaches that reduce unnecessary burden while maintaining patient safety and public trust.

AAPM appreciates the opportunity to contribute to OSTP’s policy development efforts and looks forward to continued engagement with federal partners to advance a strong, innovative, and inclusive scientific enterprise.

Senate Appropriations Committee Releases Three-Bill Minibus
The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations released a three-bill minibus package that includes the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) bill. The package reflects bipartisan negotiations and rejects proposed deep cuts to federal science and research programs, helping to maintain congressional support for U.S. competitiveness, innovation, and public safety.

Under the CJS bill, the National Science Foundation (NSF) would be funded at $8.75 billion, maintaining funding for research and related activities at approximately FY 2025 levels. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) would receive $1.847 billion, an increase of $40 million above both the President’s budget request and the FY 2025 enacted level, supporting research in areas including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and measurement science.

While release of the minibus represents important progress, appropriators must still advance FY 2026 appropriations bills for six additional areas, including Labor–Health and Human Services, which funds the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Much of the federal government is currently operating under a continuing resolution that expires January 30; absent further legislative action, affected agencies face the risk of a shutdown.

Please contact Lauren DePutter, AAPM’s Director of Government Affairs and External Relations, with any questions or concerns.

How you can help!

Your voice and participation strengthen our advocacy efforts. Numerous opportunities exist for AAPM members to advocate by lending their voices, experiences and collective expertise.

  • Become a state champion through CHAMPS and CHAMPWG
  • Volunteer on key committees including GRAC, ECON or through subcommittees and working groups: WGPVAC, CRCPDS, JMPLSC, and GRPSC

How AAPM is Actively Advocating:

  • Monitoring and Engagement: Our staff and dedicated volunteers closely track news, policy actions, and communications from peer and partner organizations. This ensures we are informed and responsive, supporting relevant initiatives beneficial to our members.
  • Informing Membership: Stay updated through the AAPM Newsletter, e-News, association emails, committee updates, meeting sessions, social media, and by direct contact with staff and volunteers.
  • Working Collaboratively: AAPM has worked to establish a close and cooperative working relationships with numerous government bodies, organizations and key federal agencies, such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with a range of medical providers, corporation, suppliers and peer professional societies. AAPM recently spearheaded a joint response to the July 17, 2025 Federal Register notice regarding proposed changes to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program, with 5 peer societies adding their support. Read the response HERE.

Together, we can ensure the voice of medical physicists remains strong, informed, and influential.

 

Activities

Highlights of Recent Activities (2025):

  • AAPM recently spearheaded a joint response to the July 17, 2025 Federal Register notice regarding proposed changes to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program, with 5 peer societies adding their support. Read the response HERE.
  • Supported multiple coalition letters advocating for robust federal funding of NIH and NSF research programs.
  • Endorsed ASTRO’s ROCR bill aimed at enhancing radiation oncology reimbursement.
  • Initiated a "Take-Action" campaign opposing indirect funding caps at NIH, successfully mobilizing over 90 advocacy messages to Congressional offices.
  • AAPM leadership approved an official Advocacy Agenda, a strategic roadmap to guide our government relations efforts moving forward.
  • AAPM’s inaugural Advocacy Day (Hill Day) scheduled for Thursday, July 31, 2025 immediately following our Annual Meeting.
  • Launched CHAMPS, a state-level grassroots advocacy program:
    • The Steering Subcommittee is actively recruiting and training state volunteers.
    • This program sets targeted advocacy goals and provides training resources to enhance state-level advocacy.
  • Strengthened partnerships and provided training through CRCPDS, enhancing our relationships with federal and state radiation programs.
  • ECON Committee diligently monitors and prepares for annual CMS rule cycles, offering training to members and submitting formal comments on behalf of medical physicists.
  • Through WGPVAC, we proactively engaged for the Veterans Affairs Hospitals—the nation’s largest healthcare system—to safeguard medical physics contracts crucial for patient care. AAPM previously facilitated the introduction of HR6800 to address hiring and retention challenges for therapy physicists within the VA, and we’re actively pursuing its reintroduction and expansion to diagnostic physicists.

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