Government Affairs
Through COPA’S Government Affairs Committee, the association serves to protect the O&P practitioner by monitoring and taking an active role in legislative and regulatory issues impacting our community and our patients. This is accomplished by bringing California’s O&P practitioners together as one voice to strengthen and solidify our presence within the healthcare community and at the State Capitol.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:
Chairperson: Rick Riley
Members: Pam Calad, Maynard Carkhuff, Linda Collins, Kenya Desautels, Bryce Docherty, Spencer Greene, Tony LaFrance, Mahesh Mansukhani, Trevor Townsend, Jake Thomas
Mission Statement: We will provide value to the orthotics and prosthetics community in California through meaningful involvement in state and federal government affairs. We will act as the voice of the patients, providers, and manufacturers of the orthotics and prosthetics industry in California to advance the industry.
2022 Committee Goals:
- Introduce a budget proposal to increase Medi-Cal reimbursement for O&P services
- Establish legislative champions from the house and from the senate to support legislative efforts
- Participate in the national O&P policy discussion by collaborating with AOPA and participating in legislative days
- Provide a minimum of quarterly communication to the COPA membership about legislative efforts taken on their behalf. Attract at least 3 more members to actively participate in the government affairs committee