Vol.10, No.9

October 2005

Academy Board Votes Unanimously to Oppose Direct Access

The Academy's Board of Directors voted unanimously to oppose the Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapy Act, commonly referred to as "The PT Direct Access Bill" contesting the right of physical therapists to provide and bill for services we believe can only be performed by certified and/or licensed orthotic and prosthetic professionals.
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Academy/AOPA Joint Statement

The leadership of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association have discussed the differences of opinion regarding the American Physical Therapy Association's Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapy Act, and issued the following joint statement:

The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association and the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists are united in our belief that certified orthotists and prosthetists are the only professionals qualified to provide comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic care. Both organizations will oppose any legislation that is in conflict with this.

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Professional Issues Council (PIC) Investigates State Medicaid Cuts and the Licensure Task Force Makes Strides

The PIC recently took up the issue of State Medicaid cuts for O&P services in Missouri. The Academy, working in conjunction with the ACA, will develop a contact list of state legislators and draft a position statement on the disadvantages of cuts to Medicaid funding for O&P. The statement will be presented to the combined G-4 (ABC, AOPA, NAAOP and AAOP) for action.

The Licensure Task Force, a subcommittee of the PIC, has identified areas of focus for a document designed to assist states in achieving licensure. Work has begun on defining and setting in place processes for each key area.

Academy/AOPA Joint StatementAcademy’s New Research Council Formalizes Structure

The newly formed Research Council has begun building the foundation for the council subcommittees. Those committees include: Grants, Research Education and Standards and Protocols.

Chaired by Scott Cummings, PT, CPO, FAAOP, the Grants committee's primary goal is to identify and provide direction and oversight of external grants that can benefit the Academy and its membership.

The Research Education committee, chaired by Ed Neumann, PhD, PE, CP, will work closely with NCOPE. This committee will work to develop continuing education that allows O&P professionals the opportunity to be more informed consumers of clinical and technical research.

The Standards and Protocols Committee will assist in the facilitation of standardization within the orthotic and prosthetic community (i.e. terminology, research terminology and methodology). This challenging task will be led by Joseph Miller, CP.

To learn more about the Research Council and its committees, visit the research council page. You can email the committee chairs directly should you have an interest in getting involved.

2004-2005 Annual Report/Year In Review

The Academy's 2004-2005 Annual Report/Year In Review has been published and posted to the Academy's website. This publication details the Academy's accomplishments throughout the past membership year.

We encourage you to take a more detailed look at our accomplishments over the past membership year. We continue to be dedicated to promoting professionalism and advancing the standards of patient care through education, literature, research, advocacy, and collaboration.

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