From the Hill
O&P PAC Hosts Key Legislators
By Walter Gorski
“Key to our professional future is educating our policymakers in order to protect our interests and the interests of our patients,” says Jan Stokosa of Stokosa Prosthetic Clinic in Okemos, Mich.
Stokosa recently attended a round of O&P political action committee events in Washington, D.C. in July. The goal of these events was to improve relationships with key legislators and teach them about the basics of O&P and the key issues affecting the field.
“We must clearly demonstrate the complete and complex professional service we provide our patients, and the impact we have on their ability to live more effective lives. This will clearly differentiate us from unqualified providers and help us receive fair treatment in the legislative and regulatory arena,” Stokosa said.
Education is the key
Educating members of Congress about O&P is one of
AOPA’s most important tasks. By developing relationships with key
lawmakers, we can make great progress in promoting understanding of the
field and ensuring its future.
In any given year, AOPA and the O&P PAC host several events for lawmakers. In July, we held events for three important decision makers: Representatives Ron Lewis (R-Ky.) and Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), both members of the powerful House Ways & Means committee, and Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who serves on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee and the Appropriations committee.
Meeting with the decision makers
AOPA brought together a group of O&P professionals to participate in these important PAC events.
Attendees representing the field included Rhonda Turner, BOCPO, CMF, Ph.D, from The Prosthetic Center in Houston; Mark Ford, director of marketing for Ohio Willow Wood, located in Mount Sterling, Ohio; Ivan Sabel, CPO, of Hanger Orthopedic Group in Bethesda, Md.; Michael Wheatley, CP, C.Ped., of MHC O&P in Leonardtown, Md.; Charles Dankmeyer, CPO, from Dankmeyer Inc. in Linthicum, Md. and Jan Stokosa, CP. Peter Rosenstein represented the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists at these meetings on behalf of Dennis Clark, CPO, who was not able to attend.
All attendees used personal time and money to take part in these events.
Fruitful conversations
The goals for each meeting were to provide lawmakers with a
quick primer on orthotics and prosthetics, to highlight the latest
technology being provided to patients, and to explain the necessity for
adequate funding.
Each session resulted in casual conversation between the lawmaker, his staff and the attendees, who all had the opportunity to speak about their unique experiences and concerns.
Stokosa said, “I was impressed with the attentiveness of the lawmakers and their staffs as we described the clinical process we go through to provide functional orthotic and prosthetic treatment. I think we were very effective communicating these points with each of the lawmakers we met.”
As a result of the efforts of the dedicated PAC supporters who took the time to attend, we have built on our earlier efforts and made additional friends in Congress who have a better understanding of what O&P is all about.
Attendee Michael Wheatley emphasized the events’ importance. “Sitting down across the table is the most effective way to get our point across. These are the people making the decisions that will affect our present and our future.”
Mark Ford agreed. “From a manufacturer’s perspective, the efforts made at this AOPA PAC event are critical to the future of the O&P industry. CMS dictates the reimbursements within the industry and it is very important to inform these decision makers as much as possible.”
Friends for the future
OPA and the other members of the O&P Alliance can look
forward to ongoing and meaningful discussion with these policymakers.
As Congress begins deliberation on payment updates for various provider
groups, AOPA and its allies hope to strengthen the relationships made
during these meetings and develop new relationships with other
legislators.
As always, the O&P PAC relies on the support of a group of extremely dedicated individuals. As the year goes on and the debate about Medicare reimbursements and other key issues intensifies, the involvement of O&P professionals like you is critical.
AOPA’s advocacy efforts are an extension of what you do on a daily basis. Just as you teach and train your patients to adapt to their unique circumstances, we must work together to teach the legislators who make the policies affecting your business. As Wheatley said, “Even though it is a sacrifice to spend your own money and to take time away from your practice, we all have to do it.”
Medicare O&P payments to increase by 4.3 percent in 2007 After three years living with a Medicare reimbursement freeze, O&P providers are finally slated to receive an update to the fee schedule. This payment increase is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2007. Under federal statute, Medicare payment updates for O&P services are determined by the annual update to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). In data released on July 19 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CPI-U has increased by 4.3 percent from June of 2005 to June of 2006. Unless Congress elects to make changes, the O&P community can expect to see a corresponding increase. AOPA’s O&P PAC, in concert with the members of the O&P Alliance, has already made progress in defending the payment update before key lawmakers. Please contact AOPA’s Walter Gorski to find out how you can join the fight to protect this critical increase. |
Walter Gorski is the director of legislative and regulatory affairs for the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA). Nick Morse is the government affairs and PAC coordinator for AOPA. Through government relations efforts, AOPA works to influence policies affecting the future of the O&P profession. Questions? Call (571) 431-0809 or visit www.AOPAnet.org.
