HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) to limit fraud and provide patients with prosthetics and orthotic services from properly trained practitioners with a high degree of skill and diligence today passed through the General Assembly with minimal debate and heads to the governor’s desk.

“Licensure of health care professionals is critical to ensure that Pennsylvania residents are protected against unqualified practitioners and help advance the well-being of our citizens,” said Scavello. “Further medical complications can be experienced if an orthotic and prosthetic device is not properly custom fitted to its owner.”

House Bill 48 would amend the Medical Practice Act to require at least four years of education – a bachelor’s degree in prosthetics or orthotics – or an associate degree and two or more years of education, training and work experience for these professionals.

This legislation would also require a minimum of two years or 3,800 hours of direct patient care from a health care professional. Lastly, individuals in the field of prosthetics, orthotics, pedorthics or orthotic fitting would need to be licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine.  

This legislation has garnered the support of Pennsylvania Orthotics and Prosthetics Society, Pedorthic Footwear Association, National Orthotics Manufacturers Association, the Pennsylvania Orthopedic Society and the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.

More than a dozen states, including Pennsylvania’s neighboring states of Ohio and New Jersey, have laws regulating the practice of prosthetics, orthotics and pedorthics.

“The process for creating artificial limbs, prosthetic devices and special footwear has advanced tremendously in the past decade, and requires training and expertise,” said Scavello. 

Because the oversight pays for itself with licensing fees, this legislation would bear no cost to taxpayers and ensures that patients receive quality care and maximize their productivity.

For more legislative information, visit Scavello’s website at MarioScavello.com.

State Representative Mario Scavello

176^th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Lauren Whetzel

lwhetzel@pahousegop.com

717.260.6451

MarioScavello.com