Don’t count on ACA for advocacy support on any legislative issues for = amputees let alone any opposition to the proposed competitive bidding = initiative.
ACA did not accept a invitation to a seat at the Negotiated Rulesmaking = Committee (NegReg) nor have they done anything to meaningfully advocate = on behalf of amputees re: the current major state and federal = legislation issues that will determine qualifications of providers and = future affordability made available for O&P services.
Do you think ACA not being participating in the Negotiated Rulemaking = was an oversight? Hardly!
Prosthetics is a billion dollar industry in the United States and those = that are heavily vested want to control its future and the growing = population of amputees, over 40% by 2020. This industry is no different = then any other industry. The more factors that you can control the more profitable it is. An = amputee consumer organization effecting legislation is that last thing = the industry wants. However, when this conflict and control negatively = effects a human being lifestyle and lessens their chances of retaining = their own dignity and mobility, and their right to be self supportive, = the situation must be investigated and stopped.
When the Academy was instrumental in founding ACA , it’s intent was to = give control to the amputee through information (education) and not = about controlling the information (marketing) getting to the amputee.=20 How many amputees or comprehensive orthotic users even know about the = Neg Reg or Competitive bidding issues? It is the Academy that must step up to the plate with the consumer and = remedy the situation. We can no longer wear blinders to the obvious control the industry has = to gag the amputee via THEIR federally funded national consumer = organization.
The proponents of ACA to truly ADVOCATE on the behalf of amputees have = been recently described as “squeaky wheels” by their newly appointed = Public Policy and Advocacy Committee (PPAC) ACA director Brad Ruhl whom = just happens to also be a industry leader of a major manufacturer !!
The conflict of industry vs. profession goes back to 1917 the year of = the formation of what is now AOPA and in 1970 the Academy. The conflict of industry vs. consumer is now upon us now and it is being = financed with federal and industry dollars.
In spite of ACA feeble attempts “to recognize that formal structure is = needed to develop advocacy initiatives”,=20 it has come to my attention that the prearranged schedules for = meaningful advocacy workshops in Anaheim at the July annual ACA = convention have been cancelled by ACA thru the prior appointed program = coordinator.
Unfortunately, I believe a parade of even more ACA directors, regional = representatives and members will follow John Miller, Phil Tamoush and = others in providing their resignations as the frustration with the = obvious conflict grows and is made more apparent. I wish it wasn’t so !
Perhaps we can enlist alot more “squeaky wheels” from both the consumer = and the profession to provide meaningful representation.
Tony Barr
—– Original Message —–=20
From: “Wayne Renardson”
To: “Amputee Information Network”
Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2002 10:26 AM
Subject: US-Politics: Competitive Bidding for Prosthetics
> Mr. Allen sent this to OANDP-L for the attention of practitioners. It
>strikes me as a consumer I have a vested interest in the outcome of
>this legislation. If only the lowest bid received will be the main
>criteria that decides what rig I will wear or use, well, it don’t take
>a weatherman to know which way this wind blows (apologies to Bob
>Dylan). =20 =20
> Mr. Allen is happy to reply to questions:
>=20
> He included a list of each member of the House committees formulating
> this legislation so if you plan to write, I suggest you contact him
> for the congressional committee member in your location. =20
>=20
> BTW, does anyone know where ACA stands or what they are doing re: this
> issue? No doubt advocating for us…..
>=20
> Wayne Renardson
> ——————————
>=20
> CALL TO ACTION “ROUND TWO!
>=20
> EXEMPT ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS FROM COMPETITIVE=20
> BIDDING=20
>=20
> NAAOP thanks those listserv members for their advocacy efforts in=20
> responding to our first Call to Action announced on May 15, 2002. This =
e-=20
> mail is our second effort designed to keep the pressure on Congress.
> =
During=20
> the Congressional recess, which begins today and lasts until June 2, =
2002, WE=20
> ASK THAT YOU CONTACT THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS LISTED=20
> BELOW WHILE THEY ARE IN THEIR HOME STATES and emphasize=20 the message
> to TOTALLY Exempt O &P from Medicare competitive bidding. =
=20
