Dear O&P Community:
I would like to invite you to an important event that will help set the course for the O&P field now and for years to come: the 2005 O&P Policy Forum in Washington, D.C., June 20-22. I encourage you to attend this important event to ensure we have a strong and united turnout on Capitol Hill.
At the O&P Policy Forum, we will lobby Congress on issues of fundamental importance to our profession and our patients. This event is intended to be a show of force on Capitol Hill from the entire O&P community advocating for the fair and proper treatment of O&P in any Medicare legislation passed in the next two years. Lending your voice to these efforts can make the difference in the outcome of critical policy debates that will make or break our future.
The O&P Policy Forum will allow us to take action on issues that impact each and every one of us, such as:
* Defeating efforts by physical therapists to prescribe and provide O&P services;
* Eliminating orthotic services from the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) so that patients can receive proper and timely orthotic services;
* Seeking reasonable alternatives to abusive and intrusive Medicare audits; and
* Opposing additional attempts to extend for an additional two years the current three-year Medicare payment freeze.
It is my firm belief that all of us who earn our livelihoods from this profession have an obligation to attend. We must take personal responsibility in our future and work together to achieve our common goals. Your involvement is needed now more than ever. I hope you will take this opportunity to be an effective advocate for O&P. I look forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C.
Sincerely, Michael Hamontree, 2005 AOPA President
Registration is only $150 per attendee. This amount covers hotel meeting expenses and some group meals. Register at www.AOPAnet.org, or call AOPA at (571) 431-0876, ext. 201.
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Posted on 3-16-05 at 11:10 a.m. Eastern time
American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association T: 571-431-0876
330 John Carlyle Street, Suite 200 F: 571-431-0899
Alexandria, VA 22314
