Mr. Schumann, thank you for your timely response and the courtesy of
directing such communication to a nonmember.
I assure you our intentions are honorable and that the professional and the
consumer are allies to encouraging the implementation of the highest
educational standards possible to reduce the fraud and abuse that is
hendering the chances of fair and proper O&P coverages for both. Since
national consumer advocacy, ACA, appears to remain silent on the issue,
perhaps we could provide consumer support in the implementation of
meaningfull legislation regardless of its sponsor(s).
We can accomplish more together than seperately!!
One thing IS certain.There is alot of misinformation and lack of
information that has not been shared with the Academy members re: the
language and interuptation of both legislative proposals.Since AOPA, was
delegated the responsibility of legislative policies for the national office
and Academy after the AAOP general letter of support , perhaps your members
could be provided information regarding the two legislative alternatives by
your delegate!?
Relating to the possibility of misinformation:
Has the Academy’s general membership been informed as to the content of both
legislative proposals by AOPA?
Would the leadership of AOPA or the legislative representative of the
national office share this information to all members?
Does the Academy and ABC practitioners support the Harkin Bill as indicated
by AOPA’s director, Mr. VanHook?
Does the Professional Issues Council of the Academy have a position
statement on this particular issue?
Thank you,
Tony Barr
> Mr. Barr,
>
> Thank you, I did have a great extended weekend!
>
> You are confused. The Academy does not support the Wexler bill. Our
letter
> to you in April 1998 was a general letter of support of “the fight
against
> Medicare fraud and abuse.” It referred to “the need to develop and pass
> legislation requiring federal standards for practitioners and facilities
> providing O&P services by limiting access to custom orthotic and
prosthetics
> codes to qualified O&P providers.” That was, and is, our currently the
limit
> of of our participation in legislative affairs.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Bill Schumann, CPO, President, American Academy of Orthotists and
Prosthetists
>
>
