The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) 2026 Policy Forum in Washington DC, held April 13-14, brought together more than 125 O&P professionals, patients, and advocates from 31 states in a coordinated effort to elevate the profession’s top federal legislative priorities. 
Educational sessions began on April 13 with AOPA leadership discussing advocacy priorities and strategies to equip attendees with the information and tools they would need to be successful advocates. The educational sessions concluded with remarks from Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA).
On April 14, advocates engaged in 158 meetings with members of Congress and their staff, including 66 meetings with senators or their legislative teams and 92 meetings with representatives or their legislative teams. These conversations focused on advancing three essential O&P policy priorities, including:
- Supporting the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act, which seeks to improve patient access, strengthen clinical care, and reduce fraud
- Funding of the National Limb Loss Resource Center in fiscal year 2027 Labor Health and Human Services subcommittee appropriations
- Reinstating funding for the Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Program in fiscal year 2027 Defense subcommittee appropriations
AOPA said it has seen engagement from Capitol Hill after the advocate visits with an additional two co-sponsors for the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act, and support has been expressed to fund the National Limb Loss Resource Center.
Photographs courtesy of AOPA.
