2008 O&P Policy Forum
The keynote address by Senator Robert Dole, former Senate Majority Leader and Co-Chair of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, focused on the current and likely future issues of the O&P profession. Kerry Weems, acting CMS Administrator warmed to the industry's offer to create a stronger collaboration among the industry, CMS and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Weems also discussed CMS' support of the Medicare competitive bidding program and surety bonds with attendees. The agency's support of these programs will require that AOPA and its members remain diligent in their efforts to ensure O&P's involvement in these programs remains minimal. Fred Downs, Chief Consultant for the Prosthetic Sensory Aid Service, Veterans Health Administration, gave a special briefing articulating the VA's position that veterans deserve the best possible care regardless of cost as the honor-bound duty of the U.S. Government. He was joined by Donald Dempsey, Associate Director for Human Resource Programs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who painted a dire picture for the Medicare Trust Fund, which if not fixed soon, could create catastrophic problems in the future.
Lobbying experts from Congressional offices, major lobbying firms and
Congressman Michael Ferguson, (D-NJ) all shared their expertise on how
best to tell the story of O&P to educate and convince members of
Congress and their staff on how O&P is different from DME and
deserves a stronger distinction in future Medicare legislation.
Additionally, fundraisers were held for Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rep.
David Camp (R-MI) and Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL).
Attendees felt energized by the three-day event and many plan to follow up with their Congressional delegations to ensure continued support of these policies. Look for more information in the May O&P Almanac.
Questions? Contact Daniel Gurley at dgurley@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0812.
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