The FAOP and their lobbying firm have done it again ! Today the senate passed
a bill which includes funding of OandP for medicaid eligible ADULTS over
21years of age.The bill which carries $ 4 1/2 Million dollars for o and p was
sent to Governor Chiles for his approval. The Govenor is supportive of this
increase and is expected to sign it into law sometime in the next two weeks.
Enough can not be said about Pat Oconnell’s hard work and dedication . The
accomplishments and success of the FAOP is directly linked to our presence in
Tallahassee and the hard work of our leadership and members. In two short
years we have taken our profession from virtually an unknown and have passed
the most comprehensive licensure bill in the country to protect the citizens
of this state. Additionally we have successfully lobbied the medicaid
department and they have dropped the surity bond requirement for licensed O
and P facility owners , recognizing the accountability that licensing brings
to a profession.The Governor last year recogized the importance of Orthotists
and Prosthetists in the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities by
proclaiming April 6 th thru 10th as Orthotists and Prosthetists week and now
we have restored funding to medicaid eligible adults for Orthotics and
Prosthetic devices fullfilling our mission by advocationg for the citizens who
use our services. I am so very proud to have been a part of these works along
with so many others .You all should be proud. We cannot stop here and we must
continue to fund the FAOP lobbying efforts into the future. We have come a
long way but there is more to do.
Talk to you soon
