APMA News - July/August 2018 - 13

Victory on VA Provider Equity

On May 23, the bill's time finally came. As predicted, the
John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson
VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018, or MISSION Act, came up
for a vote in the Senate just before Memorial Day. The language from the VA Provider Equity Act was included. In a
landslide victory, the bill passed in the Senate, and on June 6,
President Donald Trump signed it into law.
"APMA is ecstatic that Congress has taken action to stem
the growing podiatry staffing crisis at the VA while properly
recognizing podiatrists for their training and education," said
APMA President Dennis R. Frisch, DPM. "Most importantly, we
can now guarantee our veterans will be taken care of."
"I'm glad we are able to get this legislation across the finish
line and finally tackle the disparities between the VA and the
private sector," said Rep. Wenstrup. "This [legislation] will increase the VA's ability to recruit and retain qualified specialists like podiatrists, and ensure that our veterans get the specific
care and treatment they deserve."
From a surreptitious meeting in the back of a deli to countless meetings in congressional offices to a presidential signing

ceremony, parity within the VHA was a long and arduous process. VA facilities are now in the process of implementing the
new law and reevaluating individual providers' salaries.
Meanwhile, the APMA Legislative Advocacy staff is not
resting on its laurels. Victory on the VA Provider Equity Act
was merely the first step in APMA's strategy for the profession.
Next, APMA plans to address parity within the military and
other federal settings, with the ultimate goal of enacting the
Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric
Physicians (HELLPP) Act. APMA encourages members to
continue the association's legislative momentum. Give to the
APMAPAC (visit www.apma.org/donate) to help support
candidates who support podiatry, and visit the redesigned
eAdvocacy site (www.apma.org/eAdvocacy) to send a message
to your legislators about important issues.
"Without our members and their support for the APMAPAC,
at the Legislative Conference, and via eAdvocacy, we never could
have accomplished this legislative victory," Wallner said. "Now
is not the time to be complacent. We have an important opportunity to continue to advance the profession for our member
podiatrists and, most importantly, for their patients."
n

APMAPAC Donors are

Podiatry Proud
I'm Tyson Green, DPM, and I give because:
Much like you can't complain about government issues
unless you get involved and vote, you can't complain
about the issues that affect our profession unless you
contribute. Donating and staying involved are ways
we can make a difference within our profession and
continue to secure the future of our profession.

* Loyal APMAPAC donor
* APMA member since 2006
* Practices in Lake Charles, LA

To donate, visit www.apma.org/eAdvocacy.

APMA News July/August 2018

http://www.apma.org/donate http://www.apma.org/eAdvocacy http://www.apma.org/eAdvocacy

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - July/August 2018