Although present negotiations of the ABC/BOC unification are secretly in process, as an advocate to the O&P profession, my thoughts are that if ABC/BOC unification is approved, BOC entrees will be automatically qualified to membership to the Academy (AAOP)provided the future qualification standards of continuing education are raised to or above present ABC standards.
Efforts should be made to obtain individual state regulation (licensure) rather then furthering the cause of credentialing discrimination and further fueling the ” alphabet soup” wars that has prevented both credentialed association members from aligning efforts to confront much more important issues facing the O&P profession for the past 20 years and today i.e.Medicare/Medicaid reductions in reimbursement, competitive bidding, price freezes, self perscribing O&P services by PTs,etc.
With the full support of their respective national credentialing and professional associations, in less than 5 years, PTs and OTs have obtained state regulation of their “profession” in all 50 states.
Is the O&P profession not as worthy of a state license to become qualified to practice their specialized heath care services?
In the past 5 years, O&P practitioners have become regulated in only 10 states without the full and active support of their respective professional and credentialing associations.
All licensed states in their statues ,have required the grand fathering of not only BOC practitioners as eligible to take a state entrance exam but anyone whom has practiced O&P for 5 years previously.
It is the compromise that was required to obtain successful legislation for a profession that never before had been regulated.
I know of no other legitimate “health care provider” that is not presently regulated in this country and the great majority of developed countries abroad.
The O&P profession (?) is in a state of crisis.
Although probably less than 800 of all BOC practitioners are qualified as fully trained and BOC credentialed “orthotists” and prosthetistists”, unity of all ABC/BOC 10,000 plus O&P credentialed practitioners is required to promote and preserve its credibility and obtain proper coverage and the much needed “respect” of O&P by insurance providers and government reimbursers as a legitimate health care service that it deserves, yet separate and distinctive from DME.
The profession needs unification to better speak for itself than its unproductive retainment of separate certification and professional association identification and perseption of representing industry interests.
* On January,1979, in Miami, Florida, the Academy passed a corporate resolution that read:
“I move that the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetics go on record by vote of the majority of members present that The resolution be passed In favor of action by states to enact meaningful licensure laws for prosthetists and orthotists,and will work to develop a model licensure act.
Generally speaking, the enactment of such a licensure law in a state would create a commission that would consist of representatives of the effected interests,i.e. orthostists,prosthetists,therapists,physicians,consumers and public interests members.
Such a commission should also seek professional assistance from a professional examination service”.
* Recorded and AAOP resolution and published by Caroline House,in the book Whole Again,by Lee Whipple,1980.
In spite of the Academy’s failure to fulfill their promise made by resolution, their commitment, support and advocacy for state and federal regulation is necessary to unite your profession, and protect the patient recieving comprehensive O&P services under the guidelines of mandatory formal education as required in other related health care professions.
All O&P professionals need to align their efforts to fight for your own professional identification and interests, instead of opening a new chapter of desegregation and separation ,as yet another credentialing association not joined as a profession.
Sto being your own worst enemies!
Tony Barr
—– Original Message —–
From:
To:
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2003 4:02 PM
Subject: Re: [OANDP-L] O and P Slander
> In a message dated 10/31/2003 8:42:21 AM Central Standard Time,
> [email protected] writes:
> I would like to hear from other ABC certified practitioners about the
> possibilities of starting a new organization for just ABC certified practitioners.
> Pete, the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists is an organization
> founded for just ABC certified practitioners. Correct me if I am wrong on this.
>
> Al Pike, CP
>
> I would like to hear from other ABC certified practitioners about the
possibilities of starting a new organization for just ABC certified practitioners. It
seems that ABC was formed to “raise the standards” of our profession, I
wonder if this is still their goal?
Pete Abbott CP
.
