Sorry for forgetting the “US Politics” on my earlier email.
The timing of the merger deal between Hanger and NovaCare has nothing to do
with the consolidation of the O&P organizations in the National Office.
Economic forces were at work. The fact that the merger may take place
during the second quarter — just before the vote on consolidation —
appears to be happenstance.
As a business member of the consolidated organization, the merger will
actually diminish the direct influence of the merged company. Under the
consolidation plan, up to two companies would have directors seats on the
Board, but only if there were two or more companies with 200 or more
facilities. The proposed merger would leave only one company with more
than 200 facilities, so they would have only one seat on the Board. So,
the merger means that the big company would have 1 or 5 “business” seats on
the Board, instead of 2 of the 5. Since the merged company will have a
reported 950 certified practitioners, one could assume that as individuals
they will have a significant representation, just as practitioners employed
by Hanger and NovaCare do now in the Academy.
For AOPA, the merger means there will be one less active company member —
NovaCare.
Bob
Robert T. Van Hook, CAE
Executive Director
American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association
1650 King Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703/836-7116
Fax: 703/836-0838
Email: [email protected]
Webpage: www.opoffice.org
