Kevin, In response to your statements below, the Academy DOES deserve all the credit in providing the professional image to O&P practitioners.It is probably for that reason that the professional organization’s alphabet designation(AAOP) has always been similar to that of the industry’s and trade organization’s(AOPA).The new consolidated organization, if approved, has also been provided the designation AAOP!!
I am sure that big business prefers to stay recognized closely to the credible professional image of the the Academy and its members.
I hope the business people DO participate in properly informing subcribers of this listserve of reasons for consolidation and why they are not in support of encouraging the federal government to develop and pass legislation requiring federal standards for practitioners providing custom O&P services.Surely,they must realize that their support may the right course of action to eradicate fraud and abuse and help stop the proposed Medicare reduction of $500 million in O&P services over the next 5 years!
That it is right for the consumer??
The industry deserves the credit in advancing technology and development of O&P devices.
Let’s hear from the proponents of consolidation!!!!
I am concerned however, about how my and my employers representation
will be effected where all the same services could be coming from an
organization in which the practitioners and/or the employers are simply
percentages of its membership. If there is trouble on other frontiers,
will the new AAOP simply channel money from one concern to the other?
I feel at this point that consolidation would not be good.
The Academy has done an excellent job in the past. How can giving up
your mission to become bylines in a newer and bigger Credo help to keep
your focus on your individual members? I have read that the steering
committee will be keeping us abreast of how this will all work. I look
foreword to seeing their correspondences and hope they are impressive.
Also, I have noticed that most of the “buzz” is coming from the
Academy members. How do the business people feel about all this?
This will ultimately effect us all.
