UHart's Master of Science in prosthetics and orthotics (MSPO) students headed down to our nation’s capitol last week, partaking in a two-day Policy Forum hosted by the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA).
Kick-starting with a seven-hour day of policy education, our students, joined by MSPO professor Lindi Mitsou, were immersed in the world of orthotic and prosthetic politics, learning about current advocacy efforts in motion to broaden access to prosthetic and orthotic care for patients.
After day one’s exciting debrief, our MSPO students took to Capitol Hill, partaking in over fourteen one-on-one meetings with Congress members and their legislative staff, garnering for support of the Medicare O&P Patient Centered Care Act. This bill fights to provide equitable access to prosthetic & orthotic care for patients and to protect against fraud and abuse.
Logging over twenty-five thousand steps and over eleven miles, our students rocked the Capitol, navigating between different House and Senate office buildings from morning to night to advocate for our patients and our field!
We couldn’t be more grateful to the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association for hosting this incredible Policy Forum and inviting our University of Hartford MSPO program to join in on this powerful initiative!