Fw: U.S. Politics: re: Please priortize your mission!

Tony Barr

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Fw: U.S. Politics: re: Please priortize your mission!

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Tony Barr

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> Date: Saturday, March 14, 1998 14:03:05
> From: t-barr
> To: Bob Van Hook; OANDP LISTSERVE
> Subject: Fw: U.S. Politics: re: Please priortize your mission!
>
>
> >
> > Bob,thank you for the update on AOPAs support of Wexler's Bill.I am very
> > pleased to hear from you that this initiative has become AOPA's number one
> > priority and I am very pleased that enactment of this legislation is of
> top priority.
> However,although I want very much to work together with you,NAAOP,and other
> O&P professional associations to be very strategic, I am already pushing
> the consumer sides now for support of this initiative.
>
> > Congressman Wexler is not only my U.S.Congressman from Florida but also a
> > personal friend ,whom understands fully the immediate need of introducing
> this
> > legislative reform.As you may know, he also also sits on the Committee on
> > International Relations and Subcommitte on International Operations and
> Human
> > Rights.This contact will be very effective for another cause which the
> > Foundation is involved, the land mine tragedy,which is closely related.
> >
> > He and I have made a commitment to go forward and use Florida's legislation
> as
>
> > a model for his bill.Since you have asked for my suggestions and comments, I
> > would suggest to you,to the Academy and to NAAOP,assuming you have met a
> general
> > understanding of the proposed basics of the bill,that you compose position
> > statements outlining your support and forward them to me.Meanwhile, the
> final
> > draft can be crafted' by the interested parties and subject to final
> approval.I believe unity of agreement on behave of all the O&P associations
> is required to complete the mission.
> > I would then include these statements for public dissemination along with
> > those that I have already recieved or solicited including the the Barr
> > Foundation ,American Board for Certification,Spina Bifida
> Association,American
> > Diabetes Association,ACA,etc.I would also ask for subscribers,providers and
> consumers, of OANDP relay their support thru this listserve.
> >
> > I look forward to recieving AOPA's position statement for Establishing
> Federal Educational Standards for Practitioners Providing Custom O&P Services
> and working together with AOPA in assuring that amputees and others can have
> access to qualified O&P practioneers and to recieving quality,comprehensive
> O&P care.
> I would hope that fellow subscribers to OANDP will take an active rule in
> supporting this important and long overdue legislation.Subcribers,please feel
> free to provide to me names and address of consumers that have been victims of
> O&P fraud and abuse and/or suggestions of direction and contact names of other
> groups and persons that could help our efforts.We have the opportunity of
> making a difference NOW.
> >
> > Tony Barr
> Director
> > Barr Foundation
> www.oandp.com/barr
> >
> > ----------
> > > Among the many important legislative positions adopted by the AOPA
> > Government
> > > Relations Committee and the Board of Directors was strong support for
> > setting
> > > conditions of coverage for custom (fabricated and/or fit) O&P services.
> > AOPA
> > > is working with Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) to help redrafted his bill to
>
> > > require that custom O&P care be delivered or supervised by practioners
> with
> > > educational levels which mimic those of the ABC. Another way to meet the
> > > requirement would be that it be billed by a facility that meets the
> > standards
> > > for ABC accredition.
> > >
> > > The justification we used as we carried the message to Capitol Hill this
> > week
> > > was that establishing such conditions of coverage would improve the
> quality
> > of
> > > patient care and curtail waste, fraud and abuse. I think it is safe to
> say
> > > that this issue is AOPA's number one priority.
> > >
> > > As we move forward and get a well-crafted bill, we will need the help of
> the
> > > O&P and consumer community to push it in the Congress. If we want to get
> > the
> > > bill enacted (not just introduced) we will have to be very strategic in
> > > dealing with the politics involved in the legislative process. We will
> keep
> > > you posted on when and where to push. In the meantime, I invite your
> > comments
> > > and suggestions.
>
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > 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 Address Redacted>
> > > Webpage: www.theaopa.org
> > >
> >
>

Citation

Tony Barr, “Fw: U.S. Politics: re: Please priortize your mission!,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 26, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/210392.