In an attempt to clarify the terribly complex issues surrounding the proposed consolidation between the Academy (professional ‘s organization) and the AOPA (the trade organization for the manufacturers of O&P devices), I would like to share some private correspondence from some of the professional members of the equation. Many of the prosthetists wish to remain nameless, and we have agreed to respect their privacy since it is the ideas they express that should be considered and not the source.
By witholding names of the authors,at their request, we hope to encourage more involvement by the practitioner/professional,manufacturers and consumers.
If you wish to state your comments privately send them to me ,Tony Barr at foundation@t-barr.com
or directly to the O&P listserve and AMP-L in an open forum.Comments are welcomed from all as constructive and informative dialoge. If you wish to reserve your anomyity, although your name appears on the heading ,I promise you I will not reveal the source in the post or to any others.
Thank You,Tony Barr
I was told that AOPA is only surviving at the wish of those that pay
the biggest share of the dues. I hear one story from the leadership
and other story from those with the money, and have been to enough
“private” meeting and discussions to believe the latter.
author’s name witheld
If AOPA and/or the Academy and the consumer do not take the
initiative immediately to insist that lawmakers adopt minimumal
educational (ABC) standards for practitioners seeking reimbursement
from medicare, the professional side of the equation is doomed and
the consumer will suffer.The proposed medicare reduction of $500 million
in O&P services will be a done deal.
Anthont T. Barr
President
The Barr Foundation
I think it may already be to late. Control of the industry is being
handed to the BOC by big business. I know first hand because I
opposed ACPORS a few years back. It can get nasty and I still have a
bad taste in my mouth. You would be surprised what goes on behind
the scenes –some of the threats made.
I know from many years in this profession that the individual practitioners are not getting all the information they need to make meaningful decisions. With many employers paying their professional dues, they give their employer their proxy to vote. Some of the bigger companies have even funded campaigns to get proxy votes.
author’s name withheld
We as O&P professionals should be more united in providing protection
for the consumer or end-user against the fraud that has been and will
continue to be perpetrated by outside sources not familiar with O&P esp.
DME (durable medical equipment), DPM, etc.
I am more concerned with the INSIDE sources that are familiar with O&P
who know how to work the system for maximum profit. A number of
practitioners in the profession have proved me with examples of fraud
and abuse from those within the industry–not outsiders. Other highly
placed sources have informed me that this fraud and abuse is known to
the leadership of the industry, but it appears those doing it are more
powerful then the industry.
The victims of this problem do not want to speak out and I know it is
out of fear. I fear for the information I have and am not that willing
to go public either. I am still trying to work within the profession
and going public would hurt me.
Also I feel the public and the amputees don’t care enough about the
problem at this time.
Whenever I have tried to get them thinking about it they turn to more
important things in their social life. They don’t want to deal with it.
author’s name witheld
I am sure the GAO is under funded and too understaffed to think about
looking at this “small” problem in health care. Nothing will happen
until you get to someone’s attention that can do something.
author’s name witheld
Well said!! Once again, right on target! Tony, I appreciate your
consumers voice in this issue, and for that matter, all issues that you
have commented on in the O&P field. I wish all consumers were as
informed and outspoken as you.
author’s name witheld
Just read your letter on the net. Tremendous. The officers of the previous groups believe that only a select
few are truly served by this merger. Nice to see we’re together on this.
Thanks for your support, past and present.
author’s name witheld
I am a student of P&O, and I formally enter the profession upon my
graduation this spring. I have been watching OANDP-L and the
consolidation debate unfold for months now. I have also seen your name
come up a number of times as an active amputee and avid O&P supporter.
The Barr Foundation has and will continue to raise awareness for
important topics.
Until now I have been watching this debate with indifference and/or
ignorance on the specific issues. It seemed like a sea of
politically-minded individuals from every kind of agency trying to
convince themselves more than anybody of a single side of an already
exhausted issue.
I want to thank you for shedding some light on the subject. You did this
by finally asking (and answering correctly, I think) the most important
question of all:
Is consolidation good for the consumer? (Uhhhh folks, that’s us)
I consider myself idealistic and I can’t wait for the opportunity and
privilege to help people when I get out of school. You have shown me a
direction in which to focus my “political” energies. I am glad to know
that at least one other person is not motivated by big business and
political gain. While I am unable to attend the meeting in New Orleans,
I support you. I feel certain we will meet sometime at a convention or
an expo of some kind. I hope you’ll remember my name.
author’s name witheld
Southwestern P&O Class of 1999
As a young man I was reminded by President John F. Kennedy, for whom I was too young to vote, but whose words resonated:
“The Greek word for ‘fool’, literally translated, is a person who does
not take an interest in their affairs of state. They are apolitical,
having no interest in ideas from either the left or the right. They are
neither liberal nor conservative. They have no point of view or feel
they are above the issues. They are simply ‘out of it’.”
Wayne Renardson
