[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4936]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J.C. WATTS, JR.

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2002

  Mr. WATTS. Mr. Speaker, April 18 is National D.O. Day, a day when we 
recognize the more than 47,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) for their 
contributions to the American healthcare system. On National D.O. Day, 
more than 100 members of the osteopathic medical profession, including 
osteopathic physicians and osteopathic medical students, will descend 
upon Capitol Hill to share their views with Congress.
  I especially am pleased that osteopathic physicians from Oklahoma 
will be visiting our nation's Capitol and participating in this event. 
These representatives are practicing osteopathic physicians, staff from 
the American Osteopathic Association, and osteopathic medical students.
  Participants in National D.O. Day are here to talk about how 
liability insurance rates for all health care professionals--especially 
those in high-risk specialties and rural areas--are increasing rapidly. 
Numerous commercial insurers are no longer offering professional 
liability insurance for physicians and others have stopped covering 
certain procedures or services. A continuation of this trend will, over 
time, lead to a shortage of physicians and create access to care 
problems for our citizens. I share their concerns about access to care. 
Several States, including my home State of Oklahoma, are facing 
critical access problems and this trend will only continue to worsen if 
action is not taken.
  For more than a century, osteopathic physicians have made a 
difference in the lives and health of my fellow Oklahomans and all 
Americans. Overall, osteopathic physicians provide care to more than 
100 million patients each year. Osteopathic physicians are committed to 
serving the needs of rural and underserved communities and make up 15 
percent of the total physician population in towns of 10,000 or less.
  D.O.s are certified in nearly 60 specialties and 33 subspecialties. 
Similar to requirements set for their M.D. colleagues, D.O.s must 
complete and pass: four years of medical education at one of 19 
osteopathic medical schools, a one-year internship, a multi-year 
residency, and a State medical board exam. Throughout this education, 
D.O.s are trained to understand how the musculoskeletal system 
influences the condition of all other body systems. Many patients want 
this extra education as a part of their health care. Individuals may 
call (866) 346-3236 to find a D.O. in their community.
  In recognition of National D.O. Day, I would like to congratulate the 
over 1,200 D.O.s in Oklahoma, the 350 students at the Oklahoma State 
University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the 47,000 D.O.s 
represented by the American Osteopathic Association for their 
contributions to the good health of the American people.

                          ____________________