Why It Matters

Harvard University terminated its lobbying engagement with O'Neill, Athy & Casey PC, according to a filing signed July 20. The termination became effective June 30.

The university's lobbying focus encompassed healthcare, research funding, and higher education policy, areas where continued federal engagement would be typical for an institution of Harvard's size and scope.

By The Numbers

Harvard was among O'Neill, Athy & Casey's more active clients, with five lobbying engagements totaling $140,000 across its portfolio since the beginning of 2025.

Broader Context

The university focused heavily on Medicare Graduate Medical Education, a perennial healthcare policy issue tied to physician training and hospital reimbursement.

Harvard specifically lobbied on the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which the firm worked on in both quarter one and quarter two 2019. The bill appeared in multiple congressional sessions without success. The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act was introduced in the 115th Congress as S. 1301 in 2017 and died in committee, then reappeared in the 116th Congress as HR 1763 and S. 348 in 2019, where it similarly died in committee.

The university also lobbied on the 340B Protection and Accountability Act, which targeted a federal drug discount program. That bill, HR 1559, died in committee and was never enacted.

Beyond specific legislation, Harvard's advocacy agenda included broader healthcare policy, funding for federally sponsored research, proposals to raise budget caps, and higher education issues spanning student aid, Direct Lending, Pell Grant funding, and tax treatment of university endowments. The firm also worked on regulatory relief and science and security matters, reflecting Harvard's status as a major federal research contractor.

The Bottom Line

The lobbying team included Andy Athy Jr., an active Partner at O'Neill, Athy & Casey.

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