USA Politics

USA Politics

2/11/2008

I applaud the efforts of the ACA to get Parity legislation passed at the federal level, they are doing an admirable job of looking out for the population they serve. As an orthotist, I am troubled that the federal legislative efforts do not include orthotics as well as prosthetics. I've listened to the arguments that try to sell me on the idea that prosthetic coverage is an easier concept to approach legislators with and the statistics exist to make a strong case to mandate coverage for prosthetics. The underlying strategy being to get coverage for prosthetics now and go after orthotics later. It seems like later never comes in these matters. I heard the same logic when our national organizations lobbied hard (and successfully)to get exclusions for certain prosthetic devices for Part A SNF residents, and that we would go after orthotics later. Later never came.

I am hopeful the leaders in the Alliance will demand that orthotics be included in federal legislative efforts in order to gain our support. Remember, all of our organizations include in their  title Orthotics AND Prosthetics. If this issue is important to you let your leadership know.

 

Thanks,

Steve Williams C.O.
Williams Orthotic Services
Flint, MI

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