The National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics released a webcast providing updates on the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights.
According to Peter W. Thomas, JD, general counsel for the NAAOP, support for the bill is building, especially in the House of Representatives where it was introduced. The NAAOP is moving forward to build as much bipartisan support as they can, and they are currently working to find someone to introduce the bill into the Senate.
“The bill essentially forms the basis of an education for veterans with orthotic and prosthetic needs. It would require the VA to post a list of rights that veterans have to the most appropriate technology available, to the practitioner of their choice, whether or not that practitioner is a VA practitioner and to generally access the O&P care that they need,” Thomas stated. “All this does is educate veterans and allow veterans to advocate for themselves.”
The bill would provide veterans access to appropriate technology, a spare prosthesis or orthosis, and continuity of care in transitioning from Department of Defense to Department of Veterans Affairs care systems. It would give veterans the right to choose a private practitioner and have the VA provide a second opinion.
The NAAOP encourages supporters of the bill to contact their local legislators and ask that they cosponsor the bill to ensure that it is passed.
