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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.

(March 31, 2026)

Join the Conversation: AAPM Government Affairs Town Hall
AAPM’s Government Affairs Team is holding an open Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, April 22nd from 3:00 to 4:00 EST. We invite members to attend and learn about the latest advocacy efforts, our government relations priorities, and policy developments impacting the medical physics community.

Importantly, this interactive session will also provide an opportunity for members to share their perspectives by highlighting issues affecting their practice, raising questions about emerging policy topics, or providing input on where AAPM should focus its advocacy efforts moving forward (please note, attendance is limited to 500 participants, and the session will not be recorded in order to encourage open and candid discussion).

We encourage you to join this important conversation and help shape the future of AAPM’s advocacy efforts!
Learn more and register here.

Advocacy Opportunity: ARPA-H Congressional Briefing (AIMBE)
The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) is hosting a congressional briefing on May 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C., focused on advancing advocacy for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). AIMBE is seeking researchers with active ARPA-H awards to serve as speakers and engage directly with congressional staff on the impact of federally funded research.

AAPM members with relevant experience are encouraged to apply. AIMBE will provide travel support for up to two selected participants. Applications are due April 15, 2026. Learn more and apply >>

AAPM Participates in Hill Day and Research Advocacy Events
AAPM was represented at recent advocacy events by member Paul Kinahan and incoming President Andrew Maidment, participating in coordinated efforts to advance federal support for biomedical imaging research and innovation.

Dr. Kinahan participated in the Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research’s annual Hill Day, held March 24–25, alongside a coalition of 16 organizations representing the broader imaging and biomedical research community. As part of this effort, 55 advocates conducted 87 meetings with congressional offices across 20 states, emphasizing the importance of sustained federal investment in research. The coordinated advocacy focused on FY 2027 appropriations priorities, including $51.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $1.7 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), and $500 million for the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB).

During meetings with congressional staff, participants observed strong bipartisan support for NIH-funded research and a high level of awareness of current funding challenges. These discussions also provided an opportunity to highlight the role of medical physics in advancing imaging, radiation therapy, and patient care, as well as the importance of supporting the next generation of researchers.

In addition to Hill Day meetings, Dr. Kinahan participated in the Medical Imaging Technology Showcase on Capitol Hill, where AAPM helped highlight the Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center (MIDRC), a collaborative effort with RSNA and ACR. The event facilitated engagement with policymakers and staff on the value of imaging data infrastructure and research partnerships.

Dr. Kinahan also participated in the Academy Research Roundtable, which brought together stakeholders from federal agencies, academia, industry, and professional societies to discuss key topics including AI-driven advances in imaging research and strategies to strengthen the research workforce pipeline. The roundtable emphasized the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, continued federal investment, and improved communication of the value of scientific research.

Dr. Maidment participated in the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) Hill Day, where participants engaged congressional offices on nuclear medicine and molecular imaging priorities. During the event, Senator Marsha Blackburn was recognized for her leadership in advancing the FIND Act, underscoring ongoing congressional engagement in imaging-related policy.

AAPM remains committed to continued engagement with policymakers to support federal research funding, promote innovation in medical imaging and radiation therapy, and ensure that medical physics expertise is represented in healthcare policy discussions.

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.

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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