US-POLITICS Re: Harkin vs. Wexler

US-POLITICS Re: Harkin vs. Wexler

In a message dated 9/29/99 10:26:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time, <Email Address Redacted>
writes:

<< Bill S. or Stephanie L.:

 Why is the official AAOP position that they do not support one bill over the
 other? Does the Wexler bill have some objectionable clauses that prevent its
 support over the Harkin bill? Has the AAOP BOD reviewed the +s and -s of
 both bills? Why is there so much resistance to what appears to be support
 for the ABC credential and NCOPE/CAAHEP accredited education? The silence is
 deafening. I am afraid that if no official position is taken, then the
 collusion will be suspected. Keep up the good work.

 Sincerely,

 Tom Lunsford >>

I agree wholeheartedly with the questions raised by Past Academy President,
Tom Lunsford, CPO!

In my opinion, however, there should be no question or hesitation as to the
Academy's position of responsibility or support for any initiative which
attempts to recognize the NCOPE/CAAHEP O&P Education Essentials and
Guidelines.

It is imperative that the Academy continue its long-standing history of
actively supporting and encouraging the use of any language, legislative or
otherwise, which supports these Essentials and Guidelines. They are
significant to the foundation and formal recognition of our profession and
its practitioners..... as a true allied heath care profession and as true
allied health care professionals.

The Academy throughout the years has diligently worked to provide support and
recognition of the NCOPE/CAAHEP O&P Education Essential & Guidelines. These
efforts are well documented in the following historical events and documents:

August 29, 1992 - In a letter to the Academy dated September 4, 1992, from
the American Medical Association, Council on Medical Education, Committee on
Allied Health Education and Accredited (which is now CAAHEP), indicating
that Orthotics and Prosthetics was recognized as an allied health
profession, the Academy was congratulated for its efforts in achieving the
first-ever official recognition for the profession.

August 28, 1993 - With continued support from the Academy, NCOPE eventually
received official notification in a letter dated August 30, 1993, from the
American Medical Association, Council on Education, that it had formally
adopted NCOPE's proposed Education Essential and Guidelines for an
Accredited Educational Program for the Orthotist and Prosthetist. This
officially established Standards that are now recognized as the minimum
standards of quality used to accredit programs that prepare individuals to
enter Orthotics and Prosthetics by CAAHEP.

May 7, 1997 - The Academy Board approved and released two Position Statements
relative to the delivery of comprehensive O&P services:

1. The Minimum Education Essentials and Credentialing for Providers of
Comprehensive Orthotic and Prosthetic Services

2. The Provision of Custom Designed, Fabricated and/or Fitted Orthoses and
Prostheses

I trust the Academy Board will continue to stand behind these previous
initiatives which were intended as a clear demonstration of its support for
the professional recognition its member practitioners, as well as the
Academy's Mission Statement.... to promote patient advocacy and high
standards in patient care through education, literature and research.

The above documentation can be found in the Academy's 3rd Edition of the
Orthotics and Prosthetics Historical, Educational, and Credentialing
Compendium.

John N. Billock, CPO,
Past Academy President (85/86 - 95/96)