In opposition to HB 87

Tony Barr

Description

Title:

In opposition to HB 87

Creator:

Tony Barr

Date:

3/5/2001

Text:

> Dear Florida Legislators,
> As a world wide non profit organization dedicated to the prosthetic
> rehabilitation and dignity of amputees, we understand that the Florida
House Regulation
> committee is hearing testimony tomorrow on HB 87.

Florida, after enacting the first regulation legislation of Orthotic and
Prosthetic providers in the country ,
will be considering weakening the current legislation passed 3 years ago.
>
> This bill would allow 40 persons whom have met 5 years of experience
> requirements for grandfathering but failed to pass the Florida licensure
> exam, to take a much easier and less comprehensive exam.

> Our recent regulation legislation inspired Medicaid to provide coverage to
> adults requiring these highly specialized services for the first time in
its
> history.
>
> HB 87 lessens qualification standards of O&P providers in our state.
> (House Bill 87) if passed, will threaten patient care by licensing
> practitioners who cant adequately demonstrate competency.
>
> Giving a license to individuals who have failed the exam sends the wrong
> message to Florida's patients.
> The message is that a person's livelihood is more important than the
> patients health and safety.
>
> Please vote in opposition of this bill which would most certainly allow
> those of less competency to legally evaluate and treat patients requiring
> custom O&P services.We are not talking about shoe inserts here or ace
> bandages but about prosthetic and orthotic treatment for those Florida
> citizens whom have suffered limb loss or patients requiring braces for
> polio, multiple scoliosis,multiple dystrophy and other crippling diseases.
>
Please continue to allow the state of Florida to represent the model
legislation for the country by requiring that ALL practitioners of providing
custom O&P services, continue to demonstrate, through the current state
examination format that he or she is competent to practice orthotics and
prosthetics.
 Anthony T. Barr
 President
 Barr Foundation
 www.oandp.com/barr
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Citation

Tony Barr, “In opposition to HB 87,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 24, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/216108.