Quantum Leap Draft Letter (3)

Quantum Leap Draft Letter (3)

Thomas Gorski

3/16/2001

Selected portions of the letter are underlined to draw the Rep.'s staff's
attention (this will accelerate the handling of the letter).

Thank you for writing your Rep. The Academy appreciates your involvement.

Thomas V. DiBello, CO, FAAOP
President
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists


DRAFT TEXT
FOR YOUR LETTER OF SUPPORT


The Honorable _____________
United States House of Representatives or United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515(if House) or 20510(if senate)

Dear Rep. or Sen. __________:

As a {INDICATE CREDENTIAL eg CERTIFIED ORTHOTIST} and member of the American
Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, I am writing to respectfully request
your support for enhanced investment in two federal initiatives that will
significantly enhance the quality and delivery of care to persons with
disabilities who require prosthetic (artificial limbs) and orthotic (braces)
care.

The first issue of concern is the need to ensure that the seven colleges and
universities with orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) educational programs are
adequately equipped and supported to attract and train O&P professionals. A
significant shortage of trained orthotists and prosthetists is anticipated
if immediate action is not taken as the number of students seeking to enroll
in O&P educational program has decreased dramatically in recent years.
Meanwhile, the demand for provider services is expected to increase by 25%
for orthotic care and 47% for prosthetic care by 2020. Without additional
student interest and school capacity, the needs of over one-third of persons
with disabilities who require O&P care will go unmet due to a shortage of
trained O&P professionals. To support a modest expansion of O&P training
program capacity, a $1,500,000 increase in the Rehabilitation Services
Administration's Training and Pilots account is respectfully requested for
FY 2002.

In addition, the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists seeks to
develop clinical practice guidelines for common O&P procedures. The
development of such benchmarks for care, which would be achieved through a
series of consensus conferences focused on issues such as scoliosis
management; management of the diabetic foot and ankle; and transtibial and
transfemoral prosthetics, will do much to improve patient outcomes. An
$800,000 increase to CDC's Office on Disability and Health would enable the
implementation of this necessary and worthwhile program.

As a patient care provider, I see first hand the effectiveness of O&P care
on the lives of persons with disabilities. There remains much more that can
be done, however, to improve care for these patients. I strongly urge
your support for these important priorities to advance care for persons with
disabilities who require O&P services. The Academy's Washington
representatives will be in touch with your office to follow up on this
request. Should you or your staff have any immediate questions regarding
this initiative, however, please do not hesitate to contact me at
__________.

Sincerely,



Thank you for writing your Rep.. The Academy appreciates your involvement.

Thomas V. DiBello, CO, FAAOP
President
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists