Thank you to all those who attended and those sponsors that made the 2012 AOPA Policy Forum a success, not only for AOPA members, but the O&P community as a whole.
The AOPA Policy Forum held on April 17-18, in Washington, DC serves to facilitate the political engagement of the O&P community. The policy Forum is a two day event. Day One consists of the general educational sessions and Day Two is the increasingly important in-person Congressional visits.
This year’s Policy Forum netted the O&P community 330 appointments with Members of Congress or their staff. These opportunities enabled AOPA members to bring the message of restoring lives and mobility directly to the decision makers.
Close to a hundred attendees gathered at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel on Capitol Hill to make the case to legislators to support the Medicare Orthotic and Prosthetic Improvements Act (H.R. 1958 and S.2125), the Insurance Fairness for Amputees Act (S.773 and H.R.4175) and the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights (H.R. 805). Additionally, the Policy Forum attendees covered the importance of including O&P as an Essential Health Benefit, exempting O&P from the Medical Device Excise Tax, the need for research funds for outcomes-based research/evidence-based practice, the need for competitive grants for orthotic and prosthetic education, the OIG report and resulting ramped up physician documentation requirements with their adverse effects on patients, and the VA procurement policies and reform issue. During the visits, attendees utilized the provided set of talking points along with their anecdotal experiences as patient care providers and suppliers to request the support of their legislators on key O&P legislation and issues.
Adding to the excitement four Congressional members provided remarks during the General Session, Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-2nd MD), Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-5th PA), Rep. Charles Dent (R-15th PA) and Rep. Todd Rokita (R-4th IN). Senator Wyden (D-OR) was also present for a reception fundraiser. The presence of the Congressional members, many of whom who are sponsoring or co-sponsoring key O&P legislation, is a testament to the importance of the Policy Forum and developing relationships with legislators to gain further support of O&P initiatives.
To get a first hand view of the action, view the photo record by clicking here.
To access the Issue papers summarizing the important O&P issues covered please click on the links below:
1. The Medicare O&P Improvements Act (S.2125 and H.R. 1958)
2. Support for Implementation of Insurance Fairness for Amputees Act (S.773 and H.R. 4175)
3. Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights (H.R. 805)- NAAOP Issue Paper
4. O&P Must Be Included in Essential Health Benefits
5. O&P Should be Exempt from the Medical Device Excise Tax
6. Outcomes-Based Research/Evidence-Based Practice
7. Orthotic and Prosthetic Education
8. Physician Documentation and OIG report
9. Sen. Cardin Letter to CMS Administrator re: OIG Report, physician documentation
Thank you again to the attendees and Policy Forum sponsors who helped make this event a success!
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS
