Congressman Discusses Competitive Bidding at OPGA

During a visit October 25 to OPGA, Waterloo, Iowa, six-term Iowa Congressman Jim Nussle said what everyone in the O&P industry knows: "Healthcare is one of the biggest challenges facing Americans today."

"The current system is messed up in many ways," Nussle continued. "When you have a system in which the two most important people in the transaction-the doctor and the patient-don't make decisions-and lawyers, regulators, bureaucrats, and insurance companies have more power, you've got a problem." Preempting the first question from the several hundred OPGA and VGM associates who assembled to hear him speak, Nussle brought up the industry hot-button: national competitive bidding.

"I can't tell you what will happen in the future," Nussle said. "We still have time and room to work with the Senate, and I believe there will be an opportunity to do so when we go back for the lame duck session."

Washington politicians "always believe we are right, and that we all know better than individuals do," he said wryly. "When they create a system where 'one size fits all,' we don't recognize individual concerns and marketplaces.

"Continuous contact with constituents does make a difference, the congressman pointed out. "Personal anecdotes are very important. Keep them coming because they do matter when making arguments in Washington."

OPGA president Jim Andreassen had a one-on-one discussion with the congressman and was assured that Nussle would continue to look out for the best interests of the healthcare industry, including O&P, Andreassen said.

"It was an honor and a pleasure to meet with Congressman Nussle," said Andreassen. "He was very upfront and sincere in his battle to ensure that the doctor and physician are the most integral part of the decision-making process in health-related issues. As he stated in his speech, it is and will remain vitally important to maintain contact with our congresspersons and senators in Washington DC, especially in the battle against competitive bidding."

Nussle faces Democrat Ann Hutchinson in Iowa's Second District in the November election.

Congressman Discusses Competitive Bidding at OPGA

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Congressman Discusses Competitive Bidding at OPGA

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VORUM / Freedom Systems – Seminar Date Change

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