Fw: John Billock [OANDP-L] US Politics: O&P "Qualified Practioner" Language - H.R.5661
Tony Barr
Description
Collection
Title:
Fw: John Billock [OANDP-L] US Politics: O&P "Qualified Practioner" Language - H.R.5661
Creator:
Tony Barr
Date:
1/23/2001
Text:
John Billock, CPO, LPO once said to me something that I have always thought profound and motivational to my personal consumer advocacy efforts. What is good for the consumer IS good for the profession.
A practitioner of 36 years and major leader and technology developer in the field, John has always put the patient's safety and needs first in his ideologies and political positions. He is an important ally to the patient and the profession whom once insisted on maintaining the highest qualifications of educational standards and integrity to the profession.
He played major active roles in the profession's growth and development at both state and federal levels in the past 30 years. He has been the only individual that has been elected twice as president of the Academy as well as a director of the Academy's Midwest Chapter and president. His list of credentials and accomplishments would fill more space than his last brief post to the listserve. I have highlighted some of his more direct comments for you practitioners and consumers to read and hopefully advocate via a variety of conduits.
The opportunity of receiving proper coverage of O&P services thru meaningful federal and state regulation legislation will never have the chance to materialize if the profession and the consumer of these services condone or remain passive to legislation that dilutes the mandate to the entry of qualified providers and better assuring consumer protection.
Please read his comments and help defeat this legislation that opens the door to unqualified providers of O&P services. Perhaps more of the current board of directors/leaders of the Academy will publicly post their positions on this legislation and advocate to defeat it.
It is difficult to comprehend how any indivisual professional or their national and state chapter organizations and associations could stand by and permit the entrance of unqualified providers to provide these important health care services.
I salute John's integrity and unwavering response to my personal challenge for position statements on this issue to be submitted from the leaders of the profession.
Tony Barr
Dear US List Members:
Don't let your actions stop here by posting to OANDP-L, because by and large, you
are only singing to the choir!!!
I do not and did not support the Qualified Practitioner language of this
Legislation. This language is wrong and those that supported it, regardless
of the reason, know it!! In my opinion, little has been done to curb O&P
growing expenditures due to fraud and abuse by grossly expanding the
definition of what is a Qualified Practitioner. This legislation was not
in the best interest of this profession or the general public that utilizes
and needs these services.
Fundamentally, it has long been acknowledged and accepted that minimum
college or university level education and training is essential to providing
and/or overseeing the provision of a professionally recognized allied health
care service. More importantly, it has been long acknowledged that this
principle is in the best interest of assuring the health and safety of the
general public.
The CAAHEP recognized NCOPE O&P education essentials and guidelines have been
recognized since 1972 by American Medical Association (AMA), the American
Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (AAOP), the American Orthotic and
Prosthetic Association (AOPA) and the American Board for Certification in
Orthotics & Prosthetics (ABC). They, in fact, are the foundation and model
for O&P practitioner credentialing standards and facility accreditation
standards of ABC.
Should you be interested in viewing the above-referenced coalition letter and
developing a deeper understanding of the importance of CAAHEP, NCOPE, and
CAHE, I have provided the links and URL's below.
It is my understanding an opportunity still exists to influence the specific
intent of the language of this legislation during the negotiated
rule-making process, which has not yet begun. I, therefor, encourage all O&
P practitioners who support the above principle to take make your opinions
known on this legislation by contacting the leadership within your national O&
P organizations and your legislators. It is imperative that you express your
beliefs and concerns on this issue to those in leadership positions of the
organizations you support through your membership. If you are truly
concerned about the Qualified Practitioner language within this legislation
you MUST also take an active role in communicating your opinion to your local
Congressman and Senators -- if you want your opinion to be heard in
Washington!
I would encourage the consumers of O&P healthcare services to also make their
opinions known to their Congressman and Senators.
Likewise, if you are an active member of a state or national disability organization, such as the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA), Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Spina Bifida Association of America
(SBAA), etc., and you are now concerned about the language of this legislation, you need to voice your opinions to the leadership of your organization
John N. Billock, CPO
Practitioner & Consumer of O&P Health Care Services
Referenced Information Links:
<A HREF= <URL Redacted>>106 Congress H.R. 5661 (O&P Qualifed Practitioner on Page 149)</A>
<URL Redacted>
(Note: This Bill is a 327 page document and you must go to Page 149 to read
the final specific language.)
<A HREF= <URL Redacted>>NCOPE - National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education</A>
http://www.ncope.org/
<A HREF= http://www.caahep.org/ >CAAHEP - Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs</A>
http://www.caahep.org/
<A HREF= http://www.chea.org/ >CHEA - Council for Higher Education Accreditation</A>
http://www.chea.org/
<A HREF= http://www.oandp.com/resources/organizations/naaop/ >NAAOP - National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetists</A>
<A HREF= http://www.oandp.com/resources/organizations/naaop/012001.htm >NAAOP Opposes Qualified Practitioner Language in Coalition Letter to
Congress</A>
http://www.oandp.com/resources/organizations/naaop/
A practitioner of 36 years and major leader and technology developer in the field, John has always put the patient's safety and needs first in his ideologies and political positions. He is an important ally to the patient and the profession whom once insisted on maintaining the highest qualifications of educational standards and integrity to the profession.
He played major active roles in the profession's growth and development at both state and federal levels in the past 30 years. He has been the only individual that has been elected twice as president of the Academy as well as a director of the Academy's Midwest Chapter and president. His list of credentials and accomplishments would fill more space than his last brief post to the listserve. I have highlighted some of his more direct comments for you practitioners and consumers to read and hopefully advocate via a variety of conduits.
The opportunity of receiving proper coverage of O&P services thru meaningful federal and state regulation legislation will never have the chance to materialize if the profession and the consumer of these services condone or remain passive to legislation that dilutes the mandate to the entry of qualified providers and better assuring consumer protection.
Please read his comments and help defeat this legislation that opens the door to unqualified providers of O&P services. Perhaps more of the current board of directors/leaders of the Academy will publicly post their positions on this legislation and advocate to defeat it.
It is difficult to comprehend how any indivisual professional or their national and state chapter organizations and associations could stand by and permit the entrance of unqualified providers to provide these important health care services.
I salute John's integrity and unwavering response to my personal challenge for position statements on this issue to be submitted from the leaders of the profession.
Tony Barr
Dear US List Members:
Don't let your actions stop here by posting to OANDP-L, because by and large, you
are only singing to the choir!!!
I do not and did not support the Qualified Practitioner language of this
Legislation. This language is wrong and those that supported it, regardless
of the reason, know it!! In my opinion, little has been done to curb O&P
growing expenditures due to fraud and abuse by grossly expanding the
definition of what is a Qualified Practitioner. This legislation was not
in the best interest of this profession or the general public that utilizes
and needs these services.
Fundamentally, it has long been acknowledged and accepted that minimum
college or university level education and training is essential to providing
and/or overseeing the provision of a professionally recognized allied health
care service. More importantly, it has been long acknowledged that this
principle is in the best interest of assuring the health and safety of the
general public.
The CAAHEP recognized NCOPE O&P education essentials and guidelines have been
recognized since 1972 by American Medical Association (AMA), the American
Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (AAOP), the American Orthotic and
Prosthetic Association (AOPA) and the American Board for Certification in
Orthotics & Prosthetics (ABC). They, in fact, are the foundation and model
for O&P practitioner credentialing standards and facility accreditation
standards of ABC.
Should you be interested in viewing the above-referenced coalition letter and
developing a deeper understanding of the importance of CAAHEP, NCOPE, and
CAHE, I have provided the links and URL's below.
It is my understanding an opportunity still exists to influence the specific
intent of the language of this legislation during the negotiated
rule-making process, which has not yet begun. I, therefor, encourage all O&
P practitioners who support the above principle to take make your opinions
known on this legislation by contacting the leadership within your national O&
P organizations and your legislators. It is imperative that you express your
beliefs and concerns on this issue to those in leadership positions of the
organizations you support through your membership. If you are truly
concerned about the Qualified Practitioner language within this legislation
you MUST also take an active role in communicating your opinion to your local
Congressman and Senators -- if you want your opinion to be heard in
Washington!
I would encourage the consumers of O&P healthcare services to also make their
opinions known to their Congressman and Senators.
Likewise, if you are an active member of a state or national disability organization, such as the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA), Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Spina Bifida Association of America
(SBAA), etc., and you are now concerned about the language of this legislation, you need to voice your opinions to the leadership of your organization
John N. Billock, CPO
Practitioner & Consumer of O&P Health Care Services
Referenced Information Links:
<A HREF= <URL Redacted>>106 Congress H.R. 5661 (O&P Qualifed Practitioner on Page 149)</A>
<URL Redacted>
(Note: This Bill is a 327 page document and you must go to Page 149 to read
the final specific language.)
<A HREF= <URL Redacted>>NCOPE - National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education</A>
http://www.ncope.org/
<A HREF= http://www.caahep.org/ >CAAHEP - Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs</A>
http://www.caahep.org/
<A HREF= http://www.chea.org/ >CHEA - Council for Higher Education Accreditation</A>
http://www.chea.org/
<A HREF= http://www.oandp.com/resources/organizations/naaop/ >NAAOP - National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetists</A>
<A HREF= http://www.oandp.com/resources/organizations/naaop/012001.htm >NAAOP Opposes Qualified Practitioner Language in Coalition Letter to
Congress</A>
http://www.oandp.com/resources/organizations/naaop/
Citation
Tony Barr, “Fw: John Billock [OANDP-L] US Politics: O&P "Qualified Practioner" Language - H.R.5661,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/215675.
