Today the AASM released a statement in the context of recent changes in federal funding, staffing, and administrative requirements related to biomedical research and health care. The statement advocates for federal support of sleep and circadian research and clinical sleep medicine, and it describes the importance of prioritizing sleep through programs administered by agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
The AASM membership includes NIH-funded researchers and VA staff clinicians, many of whom have experienced professional disruptions and uncertainties in recent months. All our physician members are also affected by the reimbursement rates implemented by CMS through the Medicare physician fee schedule. We remain committed to advocating for federal policies that support our members and promote the health and well-being of patients who have sleep disorders.
The AASM statement follows a series of other actions taken by the AASM to engage with policymakers and collaborate with other professional societies to ensure that our voice is heard. These steps include:
- Organizing an annual Hill Day in March, when AASM members gathered in Washington, D.C., and met with 28 congressional offices to discuss sleep-related policy concerns
- Issuing a press release calling for action by the federal government to prioritize sleep health research and education, while advocating for greater awareness of how quality sleep is critical for children’s development, well-being, and long-term health
- Sending a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and all other members of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, outlining how prioritizing healthy sleep will help address the goals of the commission
- Creating the “Sleep for a Stronger Nation” webpage as a resource for federal agency staff
- Using social media to promote sleep as a national health priority
- Signing on to a sleep coalition letter to Secretary Kennedy and the MAHA Commission members reinforcing the critical importance of sleep and circadian rhythms in promoting health and preventing chronic disease
- Sending letters to members of the MAHA Caucus, urging them to support the inclusion of sleep health in the MAHA Commission’s efforts
- Meeting with a staff member in the executive office of the president to emphasize the importance of sleep for health and well-being
- Signing on to a respiratory health coalition letter urging the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee to bolster biomedical research by strengthening federal funding for NIH
- Sending letters to NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD; CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, MBA; and VA Secretary Douglas Collins, JD, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing sleep health through their agencies
- Supporting the AASM Foundation’s annual Young Investigator’s Research Forum, which aids the professional development of promising early career investigators in sleep and circadian research
Going forward, we will continue to seize additional opportunities to inform federal leaders about the value of sleep research and sleep care. I encourage you to visit the online AASM Action Center to bolster these efforts by urging you legislators in Congress to prioritize funding for NIH. Your involvement and support are vital as we work together to influence positive changes.
Our dedication to research, education, and clinical excellence remains unwavering. The AASM will continue to promote and support scientific advancements that enhance our understanding of sleep and circadian disorders and improve patient outcomes.
We also remain committed to building a strong sense of belonging within the AASM. We will continue to foster a welcoming environment that ensures every member feels supported and valued.
Together, we will continue to uphold the highest standards and strive for a future where every patient receives the sleep care they deserve.
Warm regards,
Eric J. Olson, MD
AASM President
