November 15, 2019

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) submitted a comment to Massachusetts State Representative Paul Donato in support of a bill before the Massachusetts legislature, which would allow podiatrists to treat not just the foot, but also the lower leg.

The letter to Rep. Donato on House Bill 1869/Senate Bill 1329 states that “allowing health care professionals to provide additional services that are within the scope of their training should yield procompetitive benefits for Massachusetts’s health care consumers, which may include lower costs, shorter wait times for appointments, and increased access to lower leg health care across the state.”

The letter urges lawmakers to avoid restrictions on podiatrists that are not narrowly tailored to address well-founded patient safety concerns. It also notes that the aging population and increase in chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity in the United States are likely to lead to increased demand for medical and surgical foot and ankle care.

APMA's Center for Professional Advocacy has worked closely with the Massachusetts Foot and Ankle Society and the FTC to achieve FTC support for increased scope of practice for podiatric physicians and surgeons in Massachusetts. "We are pleased that the FTC has lent its support to the bill in Massachusetts," said APMA President David G. Edwards, DPM. "The FTC comments reflect a common-sense approach to physician scope of practice, as well as a refined understanding of podiatrists' education, training, and experience. We are optimistic that the support of the FTC will help propel the bill to passage in the Massachusetts legislature."