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

WEBINAR: Current Legislative Update – What's Ahead for the DME Industry thumbnail WEBINAR: Current Legislative Update – What's Ahead for the DME Industry Join VGM Group's Ike Isaacson and AAHomecare's Jay Witter for a timely legislative update on the issues shaping the DME industry. With significant movement at the federal level, this session will break down the latest developments, emerging challenges, and what suppliers should be watching right now. Meet the Candidates: Rob Sand, Iowa State Auditor and Gubernatorial Candidate, Visits VGM thumbnail Meet the Candidates: Rob Sand, Iowa State Auditor and Gubernatorial Candidate, Visits VGM On Thursday, April 16, VGM Group welcomed Iowa State Auditor and gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand to its headquarters as part of VGM's Meet the Candidates series. VGM Government Relations Participates in the Iowa Center for Employee Ownership's (IA-CEO) Day at the Capitol thumbnail VGM Government Relations Participates in the Iowa Center for Employee Ownership's (IA-CEO) Day at the Capitol Alongside Amber Brauner, VGM Group's Compensation and Retirement Director, Adam Miller, Vice President of VGM Government Relations, joined numerous employee owners and advocates from employee-owned businesses (ESOPs) across Iowa for a panel discussion with several state legislators and Iowa's Lieutenant Governor. CMS Updates FAQ On Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Updates FAQ On Competitive Bidding Program On April 2, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a new FAQ, inclusive of 24 new questions and answers, on the next round of DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) via CBIC, the official information source for bidders and focal point for bidder education. VGM Group Submits Comments on CMS-6098-NC Request for Information (RFI) Related to Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH). thumbnail VGM Group Submits Comments on CMS-6098-NC Request for Information (RFI) Related to Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH). The comments reflect VGM Group's support of CMS' goal of strengthening program integrity and shares CMS' commitment to protecting Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste, and abuse. DME suppliers already operate in a highly regulated environment and have a direct interest in ensuring that anti-fraud initiatives are precisely targeted, data driven, and operationally feasible, so that legitimate suppliers can continue to serve beneficiaries without unnecessary disruption. 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.