Meaningful O&P legislation
Tony Barr
Description
Collection
Title:
Meaningful O&P legislation
Creator:
Tony Barr
Text:
A bill cited as the William G, Barr Amputee Protection Act was initiated by the Barr Foundation and Congressman Robert Wexler(FLA) as a draft and presented last summer to the O&P National Office and NAAOP for their support.
Sensative issues,regarding CAAHEP gudelines (educational standards) and grandfathering issues were of legitimate concern but were never addressed formally to the lawmaker.
Grandfathering competent practitioners, who do not have two years of college and the requirement of surety bonds can be negotiated to agreement.The bill was a draft and is still open to negotiation to gain the support by of all.
You can contact Congressman's Wexler for providing your support 202-225-3001.
Since the Florida licensure law went into effect,some practitioners , both ABC and BOC certified,whom were initially opposed to the regulation effort,have applauded the regulation as the primary reason Medicaid expanded O&P coverage to adults.The Florida professional is proud to have qualified for a license.Federally,if the profession requested similar guidelines,with grandfathering considerations for practitioner's for minimum educational requirements , the proposed medicare reductions could be reduced or eliminated .My position as always,has been that certification does not necessarrily mean qualification and a bacholer's degree certainly doesnt equate to hands on knowledge;however, we MUST bring accountability into the profession.Certification boards do not function as overseers.40 hour O&P manufactures courses AND DME dealer/suppliers with health care provider #s are not subsitutes for education, and quality hands on experience.
At best ,certification is optional to legally provide this high level of health care in all but two states!The present system allows reimbursement to PO boxes for coverages as long as that provider has a provider #!! Is the consumer expected to know who is qualified and who is not??Many surgeons in Florida who performed amputee surgery and doctors who perscribed orthotics to their patients,were shocked that the practioners were not licensed.
The profession is deserving of a license to practice.The consumer deserves and expects that those people out there with the a shingle Prosthetist /Orthotist is compentent to fit braces and artificial limbs .I f they are not they should not be practicing their profession.This is not about ABC VS BOC !It's about getting rid of those whom are impersonating O&P health care professionals and demanding accountabilty to the profession.
The incompentcy of those that are not qualified to provide custom made O&P services is hurting the credibilty image of qualified professionals like yourself and other members of the profession.
The industry can stand on its own as it did before the Academy was formed.
Competent practitioners will evolve from the desire to help people, make a decent living and learn their profession from competent instructors and O&P schools.Schools that would be required as the result of passing legislation for minimum educational requirements mandated by law.
Perhaps if this draft legislation had been negotiated to support by the National Office ,there would of been no proposed medicare cutbacks.Perhaps if the Academy takes the lead to renegotiate the proposed legislation as part of the
Patients ' Bill Of Rights, the profession can avoid the proposed reductions. The industry is not ready!
Congress is ready and the consumer is ready.
Is the profession ready??
Anthony T. Barr
President
The Barr Foundation
www.oandp.com/barr
----------
Sensative issues,regarding CAAHEP gudelines (educational standards) and grandfathering issues were of legitimate concern but were never addressed formally to the lawmaker.
Grandfathering competent practitioners, who do not have two years of college and the requirement of surety bonds can be negotiated to agreement.The bill was a draft and is still open to negotiation to gain the support by of all.
You can contact Congressman's Wexler for providing your support 202-225-3001.
Since the Florida licensure law went into effect,some practitioners , both ABC and BOC certified,whom were initially opposed to the regulation effort,have applauded the regulation as the primary reason Medicaid expanded O&P coverage to adults.The Florida professional is proud to have qualified for a license.Federally,if the profession requested similar guidelines,with grandfathering considerations for practitioner's for minimum educational requirements , the proposed medicare reductions could be reduced or eliminated .My position as always,has been that certification does not necessarrily mean qualification and a bacholer's degree certainly doesnt equate to hands on knowledge;however, we MUST bring accountability into the profession.Certification boards do not function as overseers.40 hour O&P manufactures courses AND DME dealer/suppliers with health care provider #s are not subsitutes for education, and quality hands on experience.
At best ,certification is optional to legally provide this high level of health care in all but two states!The present system allows reimbursement to PO boxes for coverages as long as that provider has a provider #!! Is the consumer expected to know who is qualified and who is not??Many surgeons in Florida who performed amputee surgery and doctors who perscribed orthotics to their patients,were shocked that the practioners were not licensed.
The profession is deserving of a license to practice.The consumer deserves and expects that those people out there with the a shingle Prosthetist /Orthotist is compentent to fit braces and artificial limbs .I f they are not they should not be practicing their profession.This is not about ABC VS BOC !It's about getting rid of those whom are impersonating O&P health care professionals and demanding accountabilty to the profession.
The incompentcy of those that are not qualified to provide custom made O&P services is hurting the credibilty image of qualified professionals like yourself and other members of the profession.
The industry can stand on its own as it did before the Academy was formed.
Competent practitioners will evolve from the desire to help people, make a decent living and learn their profession from competent instructors and O&P schools.Schools that would be required as the result of passing legislation for minimum educational requirements mandated by law.
Perhaps if this draft legislation had been negotiated to support by the National Office ,there would of been no proposed medicare cutbacks.Perhaps if the Academy takes the lead to renegotiate the proposed legislation as part of the
Patients ' Bill Of Rights, the profession can avoid the proposed reductions. The industry is not ready!
Congress is ready and the consumer is ready.
Is the profession ready??
Anthony T. Barr
President
The Barr Foundation
www.oandp.com/barr
----------
Citation
Tony Barr, “Meaningful O&P legislation,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 16, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/211333.
