Embrace the Impossible

By Karen Henry

At its annual conference last year, the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) announced that it would be pursuing a national parity bill. "This is something that everyone says is impossible," Paddy Rossbach, RN, president and CEO of the ACA, said. "Of course, they said it was impossible to pass bills state by state. We must try."

The ACA did more than just try. In March, a federal bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Prosthetic Parity Act is the result of years and countless hours of work on the part of ACA staff members, O&P professionals, volunteer activists, and legislators. And as Morgan Sheets, national advocacy director for the ACA, says in this month's Progress on Parity , there is more work to be done to keep the momentum going. Judith Philipps Otto takes a behind the scenes look at what went into making a federal prosthetic parity bill a reality and what work lies ahead in the fight for parity.

Also this month, Séamus Kennedy, BEng (Mech), CPed, presents part one in a two-part series on foot orthotic biomechanics, John Latsko explores how healthcare reform might take shape under one of the three frontrunners in the bid for U.S. president , and Brady Delander provides some useful tips on how to make a successful state and regional educational conference .

Welcome Back

I am pleased to welcome back Chelan Keeter (formerly Chelan Pedrow) to The O&P EDGE as a contributing writer. Many of you may remember Chelan as our Education Outlook contributor in 2006 and 2007. She brings back her insightful perspective and poignant voice to this month's Today's Consumer article, "Michael Johnson Jr.: Becoming a Superhero".

Share How You Took on the "Impossible"

Taking on what appear to be impossible challenges seems to be one of the calling cards of the O&P professional. What challenges have you taken head on as an O&P clinician? We invite you to share your stories with fellow readers of The O&P EDGE--not only to spread the news about your important clinical, technical, and business accomplishments--but also to help us fulfill our goals of helping our readers run their practices more efficiently and effectively and contributing to the ongoing professional advancement of the O&P profession.

Karen Henry
Editor, The O&P EDGE

Table Of Contents - May 2008

	The Road to Parity Feature
	Making Your Meeting Matter Feature
	Medicare’s Five-Year Rule on Orthoses Is Flawed Perspective
	Michael Johnson Jr.: Becoming a Superhero Today's Consumer
	An Overview of (Early) Foot Orthotic Biomechanics, Part I Stepping Out
	Veteran’s Winter Sports Clinic; Pistorius’ Appeal Heard Sports
	Good News Opens Academy's Annual Meeting Industry Review
	Promotoing Our Profession Education Outlook
	Anybody Notice There is a Presidential Election Coming Up? Policy & Practice
	Five Questions for Angela Montgomery, CPO Face to Face
	Billing and Collections Q & A Got FAQs?
	Victories Fueling the Fight in Congress Progress on Parity
	Embrace the Impossible Viewpoint
	Fabrication Support Has Never Been Easier EDGE Direct Sponsored Story
	Hot Topics EDGE Direct