HARRISBURG - At a recent hearing of the House Professional Licensure Committee, Rep. Mario M. Scavello (R-Monroe) supported a bill that would license makers and fitters of prosthetic devices and related products to ensure the quality of prosthetics and special shoes or inserts for individuals.

“Productivity is enhanced by new high-tech devices,” Scavello testified. “We need to be sure that there are qualified and competent people providing the proper services to those in need so they can reach their full potential.”

The legislation creates the Prosthetist, Orthotist, Orthotic Fitter and Pedorthist Licensure Act. Orthotics is the science that deals with the use of specialized mechanical devices to support or supplement weakened or abnormal joints or limbs. Prosthetics is the branch of medicine or surgery that designs and produces artificial body parts. Pedorthics is the design, manufacture, fit and/or modification of shoes and orthoses (such as braces or specially designed shoe inserts) to alleviate foot problems caused by disease, overuse or injury.

The industry supports further professionalization, certification and licensure of practitioners. The certification and licensure process and associated testing would be under the purview of the State Board of Podiatry. This licensure would not have a cost for taxpayers, it would be supported by the industry itself. The board would regulate and certify practitioners and investigate complaints to make sure that consumers are getting the highest quality artificial limbs and related devices.

An amendment has already been drafted to improve the bill, and based on testimony, further work on that amendment will be undertaken. If passed this session, the bill would take full effect in six months.