US-Politics: President's Budget Proposes Nationwide Competitive Bidding

US-Politics: President's Budget Proposes Nationwide Competitive Bidding

Dear US Colleagues,

On Monday, February 4, President Bush released his budget for 2003. Included
in this budget is a proposal to expand competitive bidding for DME
nationwide. While the document does not provide many details, it does state
that it is based on the highly successful competitive bidding demonstration
projects in Florida and Texas. It is unknown if CMS will include O&P in what
it considers DME, but history suggests that it will. NAAOP has opposed
competitive bidding for custom O&P for many years. We will continue to do so.

For more information, please use the following link:
<A HREF= <URL Redacted>>President's Budget Proposes Nationwide Competitive Bidding for DME</A>

I look forward to seeing you in Orlando at the Academy's annual Meeting and
Scientific Symposia.

Sincerely,
Michael J. Allen, CPO, FAAOP
President
<A HREF= <URL Redacted>>NAAOP</A>
1875 Eye Street, N.W., 12th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006-5409
Phone: 202-624-0064
Toll-Free: 800-622-6740
Fax: 202-737-2517
Internet: <URL Redacted>

Personal contact at,
Allen Orthotics and Prosthetics
2502 West Ohio
Midland, Texas 79701-5848
Phone - 915/683-3788
Fax - 915/683-6470
E-Mail - <Email Address Redacted>