S.Res. 674

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 674 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 674

Designating the week of April 13 through April 19, 2026, as ``National 
Osteopathic Medicine Week''.

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 16 (legislative day, April 14), 2026

Mr. Wicker (for himself and Mr. Heinrich) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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RESOLUTION

Designating the week of April 13 through April 19, 2026, as ``National 
Osteopathic Medicine Week''.

Whereas there are more than 167,000 osteopathic physicians and nearly 40,000 
osteopathic medical students in the United States;
Whereas the number of osteopathic physicians in the United States grew by over 
70,000 in the last decade;
Whereas osteopathic physicians and medical students train at high-caliber 
schools of osteopathic medicine across the United States, including in 
rural and underserved communities;
Whereas osteopathic medical schools make up 4 of the top 10 medical schools, 
with the most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas;
Whereas, in 1874, Andrew Taylor Still, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, 
introduced the principles of osteopathic medicine, emphasizing the idea 
that the body is a unit, and its structure and function are 
interrelated;
Whereas osteopathic physicians have made significant contributions to the 
healthcare system of the United States since the founding of the first 
osteopathic medical school in 1892;
Whereas osteopathic medicine emphasizes a whole-person, patient-centric approach 
to healthcare, and osteopathic physicians play an important role in the 
healthcare system of the United States;
Whereas osteopathic physicians train and practice in all medical specialties and 
practice settings;
Whereas 53 percent of osteopathic medical students matched into primary care 
residency positions in 2025, helping address the growing United States 
physician shortage, of which half of the number of needed physicians are 
projected to be primary care physicians;
Whereas osteopathic physicians and medical students in the United States are 
dedicated to improving the health of their communities and delivering 
high-quality care for the body, mind, and spirit; and
Whereas osteopathic physicians practice in every State: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the week of April 13 through April 19, 2026, 
as ``National Osteopathic Medicine Week'';
(2) recognizes the contributions of osteopathic physicians 
to the healthcare system of the United States; and
(3) celebrates the role that colleges of osteopathic 
medicine play in training the next generation of physicians.
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