NAAOP and OPGA Co-Host Second Annual In-Person Legislative Fly-In

Published in Government Relations on July 23, 2026

Last week, over 30 stakeholders, advocates, and leaders from around the O&P profession convened at the offices of Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC in Washington, D.C., as part of the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics’ (NAAOP) second annual in-person legislative fly-in.  

Co-sponsored again this year by OPGA, the fly-in kicked off with an in-depth discussion and strategy session surrounding several legislative priorities affecting O&P providers and patients. Leading the way was the Medicare O&P Patient Centered Care Act (H.R. 4475/S.2939). Top priorities also included the impact of specific legislation included in the Take Care of American Veterans Act (H.R. 9237/S.4744) as well as restoring funding for the O&P Outcomes Research Program (OPORP). 

The strategy session was broken up midday with a luncheon to honor Elijah Brummond, NAAOP’s 2026 George & Dena Breece Fellow, on the conclusion of his fellowship, and to honor past Breece Fellows, who were also in attendance. 

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussing priorities with attendees. 

Joined by the current and past Breece fellows, leaders from NAAOP, AOPA, the Amputee Coalition, the American Medical Rehabilitation Association (AMRPA), and OPGA/VGM Group ended the afternoon hosting an event for Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a long-time legislative champion and introducing co-sponsor of Medicare O&P Patient Centered Care Act in this Senate.  

The evening concluded with a dinner to recognize and honor OPGA and Ossur’s 2026 grant winners, Alex Ogar, Resident at Stance Health Solutions and Ruth Guiness, CPO/LPO at A Step Ahead Kids. 

L to R:  Adam Miller, VP of Government Relations, VGM Group; Ruth Guiness, Todd Eagan Grant Winner; Alex Ogar, Russell Walker Grant Winner; Jeff Kessler, Director of Orthotics and Prosthetics, VGM Group. 

On day two, it was time to hit the hill, and the group did so in full force with over 60 meetings with legislators and staff from districts around the country. The group advocated for support on legislative priorities, access to and quality of care, preventing fraud and abuse, and the future of O&P care for providers and the patients they serve.

L to R: Jeff Kessler; Teri Kuffel, Executive Director, AOPA; Nic Pottebaum, Legislative Director; Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA); Elijah Brummond, Adam Miller. 

“NAAOP’s second in-person Congressional Fly-In was a great success and was only possible because of OPGA’s sponsorship," said Peter Thomas, General Counsel of NAAOP. "Thirty-two dedicated O&P patients and practitioners advanced O&P policies in our nation's capital, continuing the work of AOPA’s Policy Forum. We are so grateful for those who took the time to participate in this important event,”  

OPGA was honored to co-sponsor this event through its continuing support of NAAOP. If you aren’t already a member and want to join NAAOP or need more information, please visit their website here. There is no better time to join the fight to help form the future of O&P.