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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.

(June 23, 2026)

OMB Proposed Federal Grant Rule: Submit Individual Comments

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed changes to the government-wide rules for federal grants and other federal financial assistance. These rules affect how federal research grants are reviewed, awarded, managed, reported, audited, suspended, and terminated.

AAPM is preparing an organizational response to OMB. In addition, AAPM encourages members to submit individual comments, particularly members whose research, collaborations, training programs, professional activities, or institutions could be affected by the proposed rule.

AAPM is partnering with the American Physical Society (APS) to help members submit individual comments through an online comment platform. The APS platform includes a comment builder with several issue areas, including:

  • Grant review and the politicization of science
  • International collaborations
  • Professional activities and extracurricular affiliations
  • Broadening participation and workforce development
  • Open comment option

Members are encouraged to submit comments in their own voice and include specific examples where possible. Comments are most useful when they explain how the proposal could affect a member’s research, federal grants, collaborations, students, institution, clinical innovation, patient-centered research, or participation in scientific and professional activities.

Comments do not need to be lengthy. A clear, factual comment with specific examples can be useful. Members should avoid submitting duplicative form letters and should keep comments professional and focused on the proposal’s potential impact.

The deadline to submit comments is July 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

Submit individual comments through the APS platform:
https://www.aps.org/initiatives/advocate-amplify/policy/federal-grants-rule-change

 

Joint Webinar: Executive Orders on Radiation Protection and Discussion of Proposed NRC Rules

Federal executive orders issued in May 2025 have set in motion proposed NRC rule changes that may have significant implications for the federal radiation protection regulatory framework. Medical physicists working in clinical, research, and academic settings may be affected by shifts in NRC oversight, licensing requirements, and operational standards.

The NRC rulemaking page is available here:
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/rulemaking-ruleforum/active/ruledetails?id=2239

AAPM is co-sponsoring a joint webinar with the Health Physics Society (HPS), the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), the American Academy of Health Physics (AAHP), and the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD). The webinar will provide members with a direct opportunity to hear from the professional community, discuss practical implications, and help ensure that the medical physics perspective is represented in the public record before the comment period closes.

Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Time: 12:00–2:00 PM ET
Format: Virtual, Zoom webinar

Register here

The session will include a moderated summary of the proposed NRC rules, open discussion of real-world implications, and guidance on how to submit comments to the NRC.

Written comments and opinions for inclusion in the post-webinar publication may be submitted for one week following the event, through Wednesday, July 22, 2026, to CwilsonHPS@gmail.com. Comments may be attributed or anonymous at the participant’s discretion.

Please note: The session will not be recorded. AI-assisted note-taking will be used. A summary of findings and recommendations will be submitted for publication.

Opinions expressed by speakers reflect their own views and not those of HPS, NCRP, AAHP, AAPM, or CRCPD.

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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