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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.

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.

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.

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.”

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