Bill Overview
Title: Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants to eligible institutions to (1) establish a master's degree program in orthotics and prosthetics, or (2) expand upon an existing master's degree program in such area. The VA shall give grant priority to institutions that have entered into a partnership with a medical center administered by the VA or a facility administered by the Department of Defense. An eligible institution is an educational institution that is either accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education or that demonstrates an ability to meet such accreditation requirements if it receives a grant. The bill also requires the VA to award a grant to an institution with orthotic and prosthetic research and education experience to (1) establish the Center of Excellence in Orthotic and Prosthetic Education; and (2) improve orthotic and prosthetic outcomes for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and civilians by conducting orthotic and prosthetic research.
Sponsors: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8]
Target Audience
Population: People requiring orthotic and prosthetic services
Estimated Size: 2000000
- The bill aims to enhance education and research in orthotics and prosthetics, which directly benefits individuals requiring these services.
- Veterans and active military personnel are primary beneficiaries as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense are involved.
- Orthotic and prosthetic professionals and students will have enhanced education and research opportunities, potentially improving their career prospects.
- Improved outcomes in orthotic and prosthetic care will affect individuals who are users of these services, which includes amputees and individuals with limb impairments.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to improve orthotic and prosthetic services, directly benefiting veterans, amputees, and those with limb impairments in the US.
- Educational institutions will enhance their programs and research, improving the quality of education and outcomes in orthotic and prosthetic care.
- Limited funding (with a budget of $2,000,000 USD in year 1 and $7,000,000 USD over 10 years) restricts the immediate impact to a certain number of institutions and individuals. Therefore, while the impact can be significant for directly affected people, the policy won't affect everyone at once.
Simulated Interviews
Veteran (Houston, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy is beneficial as it focuses on improving the care and technology available to people like me who rely on prosthetics.
- Better-qualified professionals will mean better outcomes for us in the long run.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Prosthetics Student (Newark, NJ)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy's focus on enhancing educational programs gives me access to better resources and potential career opportunities.
- It's a chance to make a real difference in people's lives with state-of-the-art training and partnerships.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Prosthetics Researcher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased funding for research means we can explore more innovative materials which could exponentially improve prosthetic comfort and functionality.
- This policy may lead to wider opportunities for collaboration with medical centers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 5 |
Retired (Seattle, WA)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any improvement in the orthotic services can improve my quality of life. However, I'm uncertain about direct impacts since current focus seems more on prosthetics.
- I hope this initiative also includes orthotic advancements soon.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 2 |
Orthotic and Prosthetic Clinic Manager (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might enhance our recruitment of trained professionals and potentially improve client outcomes.
- I hope to see improved systems through this research for more personalized prosthetic fittings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Engineering Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 33 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While not directly targeted, I believe enhanced research can inspire engineering breakthroughs.
- Collaborating with expert centers could bring more real-world understanding to our projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Civilian Amputee (Miami, FL)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Advancements from this program could mean a more comfortable and efficient prosthetic for me.
- I am hopeful for new developments but it may take time to trickle down and see direct benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
University Faculty (Austin, TX)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Engaging with this policy offers our students more tangible research opportunities.
- It promotes a synthesis between education and medical application which is crucial for real-world solutions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Orthopedic Surgeon (Denver, CO)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could result in better-trained graduates entering our field and improving service quality.
- I support more resources towards research as they directly influence the treatments we can offer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Healthcare Policy Analyst (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative addresses critical gaps in prosthetic care for veterans, a much-needed legislative step.
- The success will depend on continued funding and oversight to ensure impactful implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 2: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 3: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Initial grants focus on educational institutions which may create regional disparities.
- Partnerships with VA and DoD facilities could streamline effectiveness but may limit the geographic scope of the program.
- Impact on veteran care should be closely monitored to assess the actual clinical improvements versus expected outcomes.