U. S. House of Representatives Grapples With Amputee Protection
by Richard Mooney
Most people with amputations don’t realize that, in California and most
other states, anyone – yes, anyone – can call themselves a prosthetist
and go into the artificial limb business. Training is not required.
Certification is not required. Licensing is not required. Even those
who have been certified only as orthotists (C.O.s) are free to call
themselves prosthetists and seek clients from the amputee community.
Unfortunately, since too many amputees have failed to train themselves
to be good consumers, many end up being victimized by these probably
well-meaning but nonetheless incompetent practitioners.
Further, it’s common in this country for States to require that licenses
be obtained (after training and successful completion of testing) before
individuals can provide certain services to the public. These
regulations cover many, many business people – real estate agents,
barbers and hair dressers, contractors, bail bondsmen, electrolysists,–
but few states require prosthetists to be licensed.
At last, the U. S. Congress is getting into the act and is trying to
correct this situation. U. S.. Congressman Robert Wexler from Florida
has recently introduced House Resolution # 1938, named the William G.
Barr Amputee Protection Act of 1999. This legislation, if passed, will
require providers of custom made O&P services to obtain certain
education and training in order to request reimbursement from Medicare.
This Federal legislation is formatted similar to Florida’s successful
regulation passed two years ago. (Read the book review of Whole Again
in this issue to understand why this Resolution is named after Bill
Barr.)
Specifically, the proposed legislation is an amendment to title XVIII of
the Social Security Act and would require that “no payment may be made
under this subsection for an item of orthotics and prosthetics . . . .
unless the individual . . . furnishing such item has been certified . .
. .” The legislation goes on to say that the process for certification,
including the requirements for education and training, internship or
residency, and continuing education, shall be set by the Secretary of
HEW, the state in which the individual practices, or by a third party
certifier selected by the Secretary.
If you believe that incompetent prosthetists should not be allowed to
practice or if you believe that prosthetists should not be less
regulated than the people who do your nails, you should contact:
Congressman Robert Wexler
The House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Fax: 202-225-5974
Phone: 202-225-3001
A complicated message isn’t necessary. Simply say you are an amputee
and you agree with the principles of H.R. 1938. Include your name,
address, and telephone number.
(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do
not necessarily reflect those of MAAF.)
