Views From AOPA Leadership

EVEN AS I WRITE THIS, there will have been further impacts and heartbreak from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by the time you read it. There also will be stories of recovery and victory. COVID-19 has impacted all elements of all our lives, including the operation of our O&P businesses. Sadly, I know we have only begun to feel the impacts … unfortunately, the virus controls the timeline. Know that AOPA is here for you. I hope you have seen and are taking advantage of the resources and guidelines we have been providing. We will continue to provide these as long as needed. I hope you also have seen the efforts we have undertaken on the advocacy front. As with the resources and guidelines, we will continue these efforts until all impacts have been addressed. Speaking of advocacy, I have never felt more strongly that advocating for the needs of our profession and the needs of our patients is critical for the future of O&P. It will help us get to a place where O&P clinicians are universally considered part of the healthcare team, where we have an adequate workforce, and where we can be sure patients will get the O&P care they need. Unfortunately, we cannot meet in-person for our AOPA Policy Forum this year, but we are going to make the most of this very unfortunate situation. Next month, we will still take our issues to Capitol Hill, to reach out to legislators and their staff during our now virtual 2020 Policy Forum. Whether you are a business owner, a practitioner, a resident, an administrator, or an educator, I encourage you to participate. Given that travel is no longer required, we have the opportunity to have even more voices present. I strongly encourage you to invite one or more of your patients to join you, so our elected leaders can see the impact of our care. We need all voices represented, and as big an army of representatives from our field as we can muster.

This year we plan to continue our push to see the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act (HR 5262) become law. In addition to this pivotal legislation, we will continue pushing for funding for O&P education and research as well as legislation that ensures veterans can choose their O&P provider. We also hope to have the opportunity to discuss COVID-19 reliefrelated legislation.

Participating in the Policy Forum is one of the best opportunities to learn about all of the legislative and regulatory issues facing the profession. It also is a chance to acquire or hone advocacy skills.

I know we all have a lot going on. If there is anything else AOPA can do during these uncertain times, let us know. I do hope you will join me online for the 2020 Policy Forum in May. I promise you will feel invigorated and empowered—and will be doing your part to ensure elected officials understand the needs of our profession and our patients. Together we can raise our voices and continue our work transforming O&P. Stay safe and kind.

Jeffrey Lutz, CPO, is president of AOPA.

Specialists in delivering superior treatments and outcomes to patients with limb loss and limb impairment.

Board of Directors OFFICERS President Jeffrey Lutz, CPO Hanger Clinic, Lafayette, LA President-Elect Traci Dralle, CFm Fillauer Companies, Chattanooga, TN Vice President Dave McGill, JD Össur Americas, Foothill Ranch, CA Immediate Past President Jim Weber, MBA Prosthetic & Orthotic Care Inc., St. Louis, MO Treasurer Jeffrey M. Brandt, CPO Ability Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc., Exton, PA DIRECTORS J. Douglas Call, CP Virginia Prosthetics Inc., Roanoke, VA Mitchell Dobson, CPO, FAAOP Hanger, Austin, TX Elizabeth Ginzel, MHA, CPO Fort Worth, TX Kimberly Hanson, CPRH Ottobock, Austin, TX Teri Kuffel, JD Arise Orthotics & Prosthetics Inc., Spring Lake Park, MN Rick Riley Span Link International, Bakersfield, CA Linda Wise WillowWood, Mount Sterling, OH NONVOTING MEMBERS Shane Wurdeman, MSPO, PhD, CP, FAAOP(D) Research Chair Hanger Clinic, Houston Medical Center, Houston, TX

Eve Lee, MBA, CAE Executive Director/Secretary American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, Alexandria, VA