FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Morgan Sheets, National Advocacy Director

202/742-1880

msheets@amputee-coalition.org

OPGA and POINT Health Launch Fundraising Initiative Supporting the ACA’s Prosthetic Coverage Efforts

The Action Plan for People with Limb Loss (APPLL), the Amputee Coalition of America’s (ACA’s) campaign for prosthetic coverage benefits both patients and practitioners.  More and more facilities are recognizing this and stepping up to support the campaign. The Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) and POINT Health Centers of America recently launched a series of fundraising efforts to support the ACA’s groundbreaking initiative.

“The ACA has been very effective in their advocacy for prosthetic coverage.  This has a direct benefit on the patients and the practitioners in our network,” said Susi Ebersbach, the Director of Business Development for POINT Health Centers.

OPGA and POINT Health will officially announce their fundraising efforts at the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association’s national assembly in Hollywood, Florida, with a gift of $7,000.  This gift will be presented at OPGA’s party, which is being held on Thursday, September 28 at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa. 

OPGA and POINT Health sent a letter to their preferred suppliers and vendors in August, asking them to match their pledge of $7,000.  Several companies have made commitments to donate to the campaign.  These companies will be acknowledged at the September 28 event. 

OPGA and POINT Health are asking their members to donate to the ACA’s advocacy efforts.  The party will also kick off a matching gift campaign among their 1,200 member facilities.  And they are promoting the campaign with an exciting incentive.  Every facility that contributes to the campaign will be entered into a drawing for a cruise in January. 

OPGA and POINT Health’s goal is to raise at least an additional $7,000 through the matching gift efforts.  This check will be presented to Paddy Rossbach, President and CEO of the Amputee Coalition of America, at the OPGA and POINT Health preferred vendor cruise in January. 

In the past nine months, the ACA has supported coverage efforts in states throughout the country.  Three of these states recently passed bills requiring prosthetic coverage: Rhode Island, Massachusetts and California. 

The ACA’s APPLL campaign provides day-to-day technical assistance, supports states in implementing their grassroots and direct lobbying plans, works to educate and raise awareness among the general public, and coordinates press outreach. 

“The ACA is working hard to make sure patients get the coverage they need,” said Paddy Rossbach.  “We need the support of practitioners and industry partners to continue to build and enhance our efforts.”

“I hope that all of our facilities will participate in the matching campaign.  I would also challenge other companies to raise funds for this important campaign,” said Jim Andreassen, President of OPGA.  “The impact and results of these efforts are important to us all.”

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Contacts:

• Morgan Sheets, National Advocacy Director, Amputee Coalition of America (msheets@amputee-coalition.org or 202/742-1880)
• Susi Ebersbach, Director of Business Development, POINT Health Centers of America, Inc. (susi.ebersbach@vgm.com or 937/439-7869)
• Jim Andreassen, President, OPGA  (jim.andreassen@vgm.com or 800/214-6742)

Amputee Coalition of America: www.amputee-coalition.org

Founded in 1986, the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. The mission of the ACA is to reach out to people with limb loss and to empower them through education, support and advocacy.

OPGA: www.opga.com

Point Health Centers: www.pointhca.com