8/31/2006
The Orthotic And Prosthetic Alliance
Mark DeHarde Walter L. Racette, CPO Gary M. Berke, MS, CP, FAAOP Jeffrey J. Yakovich, CO
To: Governor Mitt Romney
State House
Office of the Governor, Room 360
Boston, MA 02133Re: Support for H.5256
Dear Governor Romney:
On behalf of the Orthotic & Prosthetic Alliance (O&P Alliance), a coalition of four of the primary organizations representing the field of orthotics and prosthetics, we are writing to express our strong support for H. 5256. This much needed legislation is of critical importance to individuals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who require prosthetic services. We urge you to sign the legislation into law.
The four organizations included in the O&P Alliance include the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC), The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA), and the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP). Together, the O&P Alliance represents the scientific, research, professional, business, and quality improvement aspects of the orthotic and prosthetic field.
Each organization in the O&P Alliance has been a long-time advocate of efforts to ensure patients have access to appropriate orthotic and prosthetic care. Your support of H. 5256 would be a significant step toward achieving this goal by making prosthetic coverage more available to patients in Massachusetts.
Currently, we believe that private insurers and managed care organizations are taking a limited approach when considering the health care needs of patients who have suffered limb loss. In many cases, insurers restrict prosthetic coverage to one limb per life or place arbitrary monetary caps on prosthetic services—sometimes as low as $700 per year. These policies virtually eliminate the ability of patients to receive appropriate prosthetic treatment and care.
The problem is more acute for children. Children who suffer limb loss due to trauma, cancer, or birth defects will require multiple prostheses over the course of a lifetime. In most cases, children require a new limb every two years until they reach adulthood. Prosthetic devices are complex and custom fabricated to the unique needs of the patient. As such, they can be a significant cost to families of children requiring prosthetics. Arbitrary and harmful limits on prosthetic services severely compromise the quality of care available to our youngest patients.
Massachusetts has been at the forefront of ensuring that its residents have access to adequate health care services, which allow individuals to maintain an independent lifestyle. In view of this longstanding tradition, we urge you to support H. 5256 and sign the legislation into law.
Thank you for your consideration on this matter. If you or your staff would like to discuss this issue directly, please contact our counsel, Peter W. Thomas, at 202-349-4261.
Sincerely,
President
National Association for the
Advancement of Orthotics and
Prosthetics
President
American Orthotic & Prosthetic
Association
President
American Academy of Orthotists
and Prosthetists
President
American Board for Certification
in Orthotics and Prosthetics
