VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

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

Published in Government Relations on July 23, 2026

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

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

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. 

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

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.

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

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. 

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

Round 2028 Updates for Competitive Bidding & Interoperability Rule FAQ thumbnail Round 2028 Updates for Competitive Bidding & Interoperability Rule FAQ On Nov. 28, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans for Round 2028 of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). If you plan to bid, the time to prepare is now... What DMEPOS Providers Need to Know About H.R. 3514: Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act thumbnail What DMEPOS Providers Need to Know About H.R. 3514: Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act Medicare Advantage prior authorization continues to be one of the most significant operational and patient care challenges facing DMEPOS suppliers. A new bipartisan bill, H.R. 3514: Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, seeks to increase transparency, accountability, and oversight of Medicare Advantage prior authorization practices. This bill passed out of Ways & Means markup by a unanimous vote (42-0) on July 15... H.R. 1703 Advances, Bringing Greater Choice for Wheelchair Users thumbnail H.R. 1703 Advances, Bringing Greater Choice for Wheelchair Users The DMEPOS community, particularly wheelchair providers and users, should be celebrating an important victory as the House approved the Choices for Increased Mobility Act (H.R. 1703). North Carolina Medicaid Rate Floor Extended Through 2029 thumbnail North Carolina Medicaid Rate Floor Extended Through 2029 Earlier this year, it was announced that the North Carolina General Assembly has approved the state budget, securing an additional full two-year extension of the Medicaid fee schedule floor. This protection will now remain in effect until June 30, 2029, guaranteeing that reimbursement rates will continue to be set at 100% of the lesser of the supplier's usual and customary rate or the maximum allowable Medicaid fee-for-service rate. State Medicaid Work Requirements: The Impact on Medicaid beneficiaries and their DME Suppliers thumbnail State Medicaid Work Requirements: The Impact on Medicaid beneficiaries and their DME Suppliers Pursuant to the work and community engagement requirements included in H.R.1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an interim final rule mandating a framework for Medicaid departments to follow when evaluating Medicaid beneficiary eligibility. Beginning no later than January 1, 2027, states must require certain adult Medicaid enrollees to demonstrate at least 80 hours per month of qualifying activity, which may include employment, education, or community... Healthcare Coalition Urges Congress to Advance Supplemental Oxygen Reform thumbnail Healthcare Coalition Urges Congress to Advance Supplemental Oxygen Reform Washington, D.C. — A broad coalition of suppliers, manufacturers, clinicians, and patient advocates is calling on Congress to advance the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (H.R. 2902 / S. 1406) to protect patient access to life-sustaining oxygen therapy. Summer Advocacy Campaign-Make Your Voice Heard thumbnail Summer Advocacy Campaign-Make Your Voice Heard Summer is the perfect time to connect with your legislators while they are back in their home states and districts. Whether you're building a new relationship or strengthening an existing one, meeting with elected officials is one of the most effective ways to advance policies that protect patient access to home medical equipment and services. Wrapping Up a Successful VGM Heartland Conference & State Leader Summit thumbnail Wrapping Up a Successful VGM Heartland Conference & State Leader Summit One of our busiest and without a doubt, one of our favorite weeks of the year is the VGM Heartland Conference. This year kicked off with a special opportunity to bring together DME state association leaders from across the country for a dedicated pre-conference State Leader Summit. The focus was simple but impactful: collaboration, idea sharing, and real conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing our industry today.

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member