Leaders of the National Organization for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP) met with key members of the U.S. House of Representatives in April to advance major federal legislation for users of orthotics and prosthetics and for O&P providers. Tom Guth, CP, NAAOP president, took a lead role in advocating for both an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights as well as federal O&P parity legislation.
Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights
In the previous Congressional session, the 110th, NAAOP worked with Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA), chair of the House Veterans Affairs (VA) Committee, to introduce legislation to create a bill of rights for veterans in need of O&P care. The bill, H.R. 5730, called for the development of a list of rights applicable to all veterans to be displayed at every VA O&P clinic across the country. The legislation enumerated the list, including the right to high-quality O&P care, access to appropriate technology, consistent O&P care throughout the country, a right to a second opinion if particular componentry is denied, and the right to choose a private O&P practitioner who does or does not have a VA contract. This bill was the subject of a legislative hearing and was supported by more than ten disability and veterans organizations. It was also supported by the VA, according to Fred Downs, head of the VA’s prosthetic and sensory aids division, who testified at the legislative hearing.
Filner committed to Guth that he would reintroduce this bill again in the current Congressional session and vowed to get it passed “this year.” The bill will be improved this year by adding a section on enforcement of these rights. The rights will not permit a veteran to sue the VA if there is a dispute. However, the bill will now state that the VA must visibly post the list of rights in an accessible location in every VA O&P clinic in the country and establish a dedicated toll-free phone number at the VA, supported by an ombudsperson, to field calls from veterans with complaints and work out any disagreements about access to O&P care. NAAOP has stated that it will alert its members and the larger O&P field when the bill is introduced.
Federal O&P Parity Legislation
NAAOP also advocated for passage of federal O&P parity legislation—bipartisan legislation that would help ensure adequate private-insurance coverage of O&P services. The legislation is scheduled to be reintroduced formally in the 111th Congress soon. NAAOP joined many others in the efforts led by the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) in supporting this legislation and urging its passage this year.
NAAOP stated, “The timing of this bill could not be better, as all of Capitol Hill is intensely focused on the development of…policies to reform the nation’s healthcare system. O&P care is one of those benefits that must be well understood if it is to be included in any type of basic benefits package under national healthcare reform. Federal O&P parity legislation provides a tremendous opportunity to educate members of Congress and staff about the importance and cost effectiveness of covering orthotic and prosthetic care.”
