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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>
> 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/210394.