Adam Miller and Tom Powers Attend Policy Forum in Washington D.C.

Published in Government Relations on May 17, 2023

On Wednesday, May 10, the AOPA Policy Forum held in Washington D.C. brought together over 100 stakeholders, manufacturers, and practitioners in the field of orthotics and prosthetics (O&P). The event served as a legislative fly-in, providing an opportunity for participants to engage in advocacy efforts and discuss crucial updates surrounding the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act. 

Adam and Tom

During the forum, Adam Miller, President of OPGA, Tom Powers, Government Relations, along with two grant winners from the Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA), Kaleigh Neely from Geauga Rehabilitation Engineering, and Abbey Senczyszyn, CPO from Bremer Prosthetics, delved into various advocacy initiatives at the state level.  They also received comprehensive details and updates on the latest version of the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act. 

Although attempts to pass the bill into law during previous sessions came close, it was ultimately unsuccessful. However, the bill has since undergone revisions and refocusing, instilling hope among participants that it will be successfully enacted during this 118th Congress. One of the many additional highlights of the event was a fundraising event for Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), a long-standing champion of the bill.  

Group with Steve Daines

The following day, OPGA held in-person meetings with the offices of all six members of Iowa's delegation. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley's co-sponsorship of the original bill proved beneficial in garnering potential support from the other Iowa representatives. 

Adam and Tom with Grassley Staff

With optimism running high, there is a strong belief that this version of the bill will be signed into law during the current Congress. If successful, it has the potential to bring about significant change and benefits not only for O&P clinic owners but, most importantly, for the patients they serve. 

“OPGA extends our gratitude to AOPA for organizing this impactful Policy Forum,” said Adam Miller, President of OGPA. “OPGA will remain supportive and continue championing the ongoing efforts discussed at the Policy Forum and the positive outcomes that this bill will have on the O&P field.” 


TAGS

  1. advocacy
  2. orthotics and prosthetics
  3. vgm
  4. vgm government

From Our Experts

Call To Action - Access to Power Seat Elevation on Standard PWCs Threatened thumbnail Call To Action - Access to Power Seat Elevation on Standard PWCs Threatened As reported by NCART: Do you use, recommend or provide power seat elevation for individuals with any of the diagnoses below? If so, and you answer YES to any of the questions below, it is important for Medicare to hear your story in writing by midnight on Saturday, April 4 at PMDRecon@noridian.com. Florida Becomes First State To Follow Medicare; Issues A Six-month Moratorium On DMEPOS Suppliers Enrolling In Medicaid thumbnail Florida Becomes First State To Follow Medicare; Issues A Six-month Moratorium On DMEPOS Suppliers Enrolling In Medicaid As reported by The van Halem Group: On Thursday, March 26, 2026, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) issued a temporary moratorium on enrollment of new Medicaid providers for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS). CMS Rule Phases Out Fax Machines, Snail Mail to Save Taxpayers $781.98 Million a Year thumbnail CMS Rule Phases Out Fax Machines, Snail Mail to Save Taxpayers $781.98 Million a Year As reported by CMS: “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is slashing wasteful spending and antiquated paperwork by swapping out faxing and mailing for streamlined electronic transactions. This action lets providers spend less time on administrative hassle and more time caring for patients. PAMES Raises Critical Concerns Over Sole-Source Supply Shift thumbnail PAMES Raises Critical Concerns Over Sole-Source Supply Shift PAMES and DME suppliers across Washington are taking an important stand on behalf of both providers and patients. The Tacoma Daily Index recently reported on the state's plan to move to a sole-source contract for incontinence and urological supplies. Under this decision, the Health Care Authority intends to transition all Medicaid recipients to receiving these products from a single vendor. SBA Advocacy: Your Input Matters thumbnail SBA Advocacy: Your Input Matters Make your voice heard about how the CBP has affected your business. New Bipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Improve Access to Diabetes Technology & Education for Medicare Beneficiaries thumbnail New Bipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Improve Access to Diabetes Technology & Education for Medicare Beneficiaries U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), Cochairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, have introduced the Diabetes Interventions Addressing Barriers to Enrollment, Technology, and Education Services (DIABETES) Act, S.4037. VGM Reintroduces the Fraud, Waste & Abuse Reporting Resource Center thumbnail VGM Reintroduces the Fraud, Waste & Abuse Reporting Resource Center VGM Government Relations is proud to announce the reintroduction of its Fraud, Waste & Abuse (FWA) Reporting Resource Center—a newly refreshed online hub designed to protect the integrity of the DMEPOS industry and reinforce our unwavering commitment to ethical, compliant care. Celebrating Another DME Champion of Change: Thom Harvill of Above and Beyond Medical thumbnail Celebrating Another DME Champion of Change: Thom Harvill of Above and Beyond Medical We're proud to once again recognize a true Champion of Change in the DME industry: Thom Harvill of Above and Beyond Medical in Tennessee. Thom has dedicated many years to the DME community—consistently showing up, speaking out, and pushing the industry forward. He's the kind of advocate who never stops asking, “Who else can I reach out to about this?”