We are asking for your help in support of H.R. 5428, the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights. This legislation was recently re-introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by the Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Congressman Bob Filner.
This new legislation has some language in the bill that differs from the previous bill introduced in the last Congress. The new language adds an enforcement mechanism for the rights created under the bill.
In addition to being required to post in every VA O&P clinic a list of rights that injured and amputee veterans have, the VA will also be required to post these rights on their website and create a complaint system so these rights have "teeth.” The purpose of this legislation is to alert veterans across the country that they have certain rights to ensure their receipt of high quality O&P care and to make such care more consistent throughout the country.
NAAOP has always felt that as the spotlight on injured and amputee veterans begins to dim, the attention to meeting the needs of orthotic and prosthetic patients will also decrease. That is why enactment of this legislation is so important. No legislation will offer a silver bullet to ensure that all veterans get what they need when the need it, but this bill is a significant step forward to ensuring that our nation’s veterans will be able to access high quality care, and high quality practitioners, for years to come.
Passage of this bill is one of NAAOP’s top priorities and we hope you will continue to help us pass it as soon as possible. Please take the time to read the text of the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights. We hope you will also take the time to write to your Congressman and request him or her to cosponsor this important legislation. We have attached a draft support letter to assist you with this task and hope you will copy us so we can monitor the strength of our efforts.
Thank you for your continued support of the O&P profession.
