Education and Advocacy
NAAOP is a non-profit trade association dedicated to educating the public and promoting public policy that is in the interest of the O&P patient. The support and active involvement of members of the O&P community sustain NAAOP's efforts in educating elected officials in regard to the un-met needs of the O&P patient community and of policies and proposals affecting clinicians serving this unique patient population. NAAOP's efforts include:
- Working to understand the unique circumstances, opportunities, and areas of concern affecting professional O&P care.
- Building a communications network with our constituents by fostering dialogue with our members, partners, and our community, with the goal of presenting workable solutions based on evidence and experience.
- Heightening awareness of orthotics and prosthetics through education and advocacy in Congress, the Administration, the federal agencies that administer Medicare and Medicaid, coalitions of national health organizations, and private insurance.
- Developing and maintaining close working relationships with all health-related House and Senate committees, members of Congress, congressional staff, Administration and Health Care Finance Administration officials, and personnel from the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research at the National Institutes of Health.
- Monitoring the activity in Washington, the occurrences and the policies that are promoted, the bills that are being introduced, and the rules that are being proposed that impact patients of O&P care and providers.
- Analyzing and getting the message out to the O&P profession in a timely manner.
- Developing strategies to combat or support various proposals and then presenting the positions of the O&P profession to public policy decision makers in Washington DC.
- Working to implement proposals and promote points of view on Capitol Hill that are consistent with the objectives of protection and advancement of professional O&P patient care.
- Supporting state legislative initiatives that are consistent with our mission of protecting O&P patient outcomes and quality by defending patient access to comprehensive O&P care.
NAAOP puts the O&P patient first by delivering trustworthy, efficient, and effective government relations advocacy. NAAOP invites all O&P professionals to make a difference for their patients and practices by becoming informed, involved, and supporting our mission.
