My 2 cents
Baxter, Steve
Description
Collection
Title:
My 2 cents
Creator:
Baxter, Steve
Date:
3/8/2004
Text:
Wow, i've never seen this list serve so busy. Out of the 56 e-mails
concerning the cross-over, one was in favor of the ABC decision, 55
againest.
I guess none of us should be surprised that the negotiated
rulemaking process failed.
I have been an ABC practitioner since 1991. I value my education and
time and money spent. I have many friends in the field who are BOC and are
fine practitioners, the same with ABC. What is the definition of a fine
practitioner to me....that I would trust them to treat my wife and kids.
The differences in the organizations are educational requirements.
For me it is representation. I'm sorry Mr. Hoxie but by having the other
organizations nominate and elect the ABC board in no way represents me. If
you look over the names in the leadership of all the O&P organizations there
are too many of the same names.....buddies for years. I never did grasp the
concept of how you can be a practitioner, facility owner, distributor, and a
manufacturer, sit on the leadership of as many organizations as you can and
not have a conflict of interest with any of them. If the ABC wants to
restore my faith then the process needs to change in how the board is
elected. That's what my 275.00 dollars a year says. I think the decision to
offer the 75.00 dollar certification is a slap in the face to me, and really
to those young people ready to sit for the exam that have sacrificed so much
based on the board's (past and present)rethoric. I would venture to say that
perhaps some of my BOC colleages maybe insulted also, however that is for
them to say.
So much for the attraction of young people to the field.
For my BOC colleagues, what would you want to join an organization
as whacky as this?? The ABC true to form led by facility owners,
manufacturers, distributors, who are practitioners in name, are worried
about the $$$$ they make not the quality of patient care. They bemoan
reimbursement but I can't remember the last time I saw a poor ABC facility
owner, manufacturer, and distributor. Example; the TLSO codes that have been
reclassified I believe was done due to fraud discovered by an investigation
by the OIG.
For me I have until December to decide whether or not to renew my
ABC certification. Here in Texas the ABC shingle has no meaning due to
licensure. It was a very generous offer from the BOC asking me to join for
free, and I will hold onto the offer (it came from one of those BOC folks I
respect, as mentioned above). I think there is more whackyness to come.
I will echo one statement from Ron Gringras....What will the AAOP
do?????
Regards
Steve Baxter CO, LO
Director, Dept. of Orthotics
Shriners Hospital for Children
(you know we do it for free)
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim DeWees [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>]
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 7:56 PM
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: [OANDP-L] ABC/BOC Merger
I have a few more thoughts regarding this failed merger followed by a very
foul attempt to steal away all the BOC practitioners.
First, after reading the posting from Mr. Yakovich, I am totally shocked at
his approach. We have all read the numerous responses from ABC
practitioners (or possibly FORMER ABC practitioners) and their outrage at
this mess. It appears that Mr. Yakovich doesn't understand the outrage, and
has only seemed to have read the posting from Jason. That seems to be the
common problem with ABC as a whole, they don't hear anything we say. Or if
they do hear this, they don't understand what we are saying. Or even worse,
they hear it and don't care what we say.
The only way to send our message to ABC, one way that they cannot mistake,
is for us to not send in our dues and drop our association.
As all the ABC responses have said, the government doesn't differentiate
between BOC or ABC. ABC was the organization with the higher standards, but
has since dropped the standards all together now. They can explain it all
they want to, but the standards that ABC now enforces are BOC standards.
The decision is obvious to me, I will be sending in my paperwork to BOC
tomorrow and will be joining their ranks. My ABC membership is good until
the end of this year, and I wll see what kind of crap they pull over the
next 9 months. I would strongly encourage every ABC practitioner to do the
same. Keep dual certification this year, and when December comes around,
write a letter to ABC and tell them that they failed us and do not deserve
our money.
If the government and all the payors recognize both credentialling agencies,
then why waste our money with ABC???
Secondly, if I were a current BOC practitioner, and have been reading all
these posts, why would I choose to join ABC? It is clear that they are not
respected by our group. I am sure that it is not a personal animosity
towards any specific BOC individual. As I said in my last posting, I have
several friends that are BOC and have no personal hatred towards them. But,
these posts from the ABC practitioners are not very welcoming, kind of like
having a step brother that is very much unwanted by a family, or a bastard
child showing up at the house to visit.
I do not feel that my education was a waste of time, I feel it is very
important. That is why I went to a certificate program in the first place.
I thought that ABC recognized the importance of an education, at least that
is what ALL of their publications state, the website also states that. But
it is obvious, once again, that ABC does not adhere to any of their
standards, rules, canons of ethics, etc.
As far as Mr. Yakovich's comments about putting more letters behind your
name, what a joke. By putting CP behind my name, that used to mean there
was a BS, BS, MS, etc. there. It was redundant and a waste of ink. You
don't see a doctor put MD, followed by BS and other crap. It is assumed
that he/she must have surely finished college in something. With ABC's
standards, a BS or BA is assumed, or WAS assumed. I always laughed at the
practitioners that manage to fill a whole line with letters, I am sure that
some of them would also include high school letters if they existed
(HSD--High School Diploma, or GED for some).
On to another issue that the person at ABC told me in our conversation last
week was that the new BOC/ABC crossover people would now be subject to their
canons, and subject to their disciplinary board. That sure makes me feel
better. I reviewed with her TWO seperate times that I filed complaints with
ABC, FORMAL complaints. I had to spend several hours writing the complaints
out in their format, citing the canon and specific points that were
violated, and then cite the violation, including proof, documentation, etc.
Then I had to pay a notary public to sign the complaint, and then mailed
it certified. I know the letter got to ABC. This was when I was just an
amputee, before I decided to get into this field. I never heard anything
from ABC about this, not even a letter acknowleding it was received. I
called them a couple months later, and they said they were not familiar with
it. After telling them that I have a copy of it and proof of a signature
that they received it, they miraculously found it. But, still nothing was
ever done, I don't even think it was ever read by anyone there. Since this
time, people have quit, new ones hired, etc. The most recent complaint was
filed 2 1/2 years ago. They again said it was not received, the same game.
Then they found it, nothing was done. As I sat for the exams, I met with
several of the high ups for ABC and voiced my problems with them. They
promised me they would follow through with it. NOTHING was ever done. Then
they said they did mail it to me, to some old address or something. FUNNY,
they can get me the letter stating that my dues are up and they want money.
BUT they cannot get me a letter explaining that they were doing nothing
about my complaint. The people at ABC know what I am referring to, and I am
still waiting for that letter, as of December, they were supposed to mail a
copy of that letter to the same address they sent my other mail. But why do
I waste my time talking to anyone there. I should have learned by now.
All of this nonsense makes me totally disgusted, and it seems to me, as I
stated before, that ABC should start talking very soon, and tell us what is
going on. But what can they say? I can't think of anything, any reasoning,
nothing, that they could say to possibly un-do the damage that has happened
over the past couple days.
Again, I feel that we should ALL take the BOC offer and join them. If at
the end of this year ABC proves to us that they are incompetent of governing
this organization, then we just don't pay them our dues. What the heck,
next year if we see we made a mistake, we could probably re-join ABC for
$25.
Just my thoughts on a Sunday night.
Jim DeWees, CP (and NOT the $75 variety CP)
_________________________________________________________________
Find things fast with the new MSN Toolbar - includes FREE pop-up blocking!
<URL Redacted>
concerning the cross-over, one was in favor of the ABC decision, 55
againest.
I guess none of us should be surprised that the negotiated
rulemaking process failed.
I have been an ABC practitioner since 1991. I value my education and
time and money spent. I have many friends in the field who are BOC and are
fine practitioners, the same with ABC. What is the definition of a fine
practitioner to me....that I would trust them to treat my wife and kids.
The differences in the organizations are educational requirements.
For me it is representation. I'm sorry Mr. Hoxie but by having the other
organizations nominate and elect the ABC board in no way represents me. If
you look over the names in the leadership of all the O&P organizations there
are too many of the same names.....buddies for years. I never did grasp the
concept of how you can be a practitioner, facility owner, distributor, and a
manufacturer, sit on the leadership of as many organizations as you can and
not have a conflict of interest with any of them. If the ABC wants to
restore my faith then the process needs to change in how the board is
elected. That's what my 275.00 dollars a year says. I think the decision to
offer the 75.00 dollar certification is a slap in the face to me, and really
to those young people ready to sit for the exam that have sacrificed so much
based on the board's (past and present)rethoric. I would venture to say that
perhaps some of my BOC colleages maybe insulted also, however that is for
them to say.
So much for the attraction of young people to the field.
For my BOC colleagues, what would you want to join an organization
as whacky as this?? The ABC true to form led by facility owners,
manufacturers, distributors, who are practitioners in name, are worried
about the $$$$ they make not the quality of patient care. They bemoan
reimbursement but I can't remember the last time I saw a poor ABC facility
owner, manufacturer, and distributor. Example; the TLSO codes that have been
reclassified I believe was done due to fraud discovered by an investigation
by the OIG.
For me I have until December to decide whether or not to renew my
ABC certification. Here in Texas the ABC shingle has no meaning due to
licensure. It was a very generous offer from the BOC asking me to join for
free, and I will hold onto the offer (it came from one of those BOC folks I
respect, as mentioned above). I think there is more whackyness to come.
I will echo one statement from Ron Gringras....What will the AAOP
do?????
Regards
Steve Baxter CO, LO
Director, Dept. of Orthotics
Shriners Hospital for Children
(you know we do it for free)
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim DeWees [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>]
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 7:56 PM
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: [OANDP-L] ABC/BOC Merger
I have a few more thoughts regarding this failed merger followed by a very
foul attempt to steal away all the BOC practitioners.
First, after reading the posting from Mr. Yakovich, I am totally shocked at
his approach. We have all read the numerous responses from ABC
practitioners (or possibly FORMER ABC practitioners) and their outrage at
this mess. It appears that Mr. Yakovich doesn't understand the outrage, and
has only seemed to have read the posting from Jason. That seems to be the
common problem with ABC as a whole, they don't hear anything we say. Or if
they do hear this, they don't understand what we are saying. Or even worse,
they hear it and don't care what we say.
The only way to send our message to ABC, one way that they cannot mistake,
is for us to not send in our dues and drop our association.
As all the ABC responses have said, the government doesn't differentiate
between BOC or ABC. ABC was the organization with the higher standards, but
has since dropped the standards all together now. They can explain it all
they want to, but the standards that ABC now enforces are BOC standards.
The decision is obvious to me, I will be sending in my paperwork to BOC
tomorrow and will be joining their ranks. My ABC membership is good until
the end of this year, and I wll see what kind of crap they pull over the
next 9 months. I would strongly encourage every ABC practitioner to do the
same. Keep dual certification this year, and when December comes around,
write a letter to ABC and tell them that they failed us and do not deserve
our money.
If the government and all the payors recognize both credentialling agencies,
then why waste our money with ABC???
Secondly, if I were a current BOC practitioner, and have been reading all
these posts, why would I choose to join ABC? It is clear that they are not
respected by our group. I am sure that it is not a personal animosity
towards any specific BOC individual. As I said in my last posting, I have
several friends that are BOC and have no personal hatred towards them. But,
these posts from the ABC practitioners are not very welcoming, kind of like
having a step brother that is very much unwanted by a family, or a bastard
child showing up at the house to visit.
I do not feel that my education was a waste of time, I feel it is very
important. That is why I went to a certificate program in the first place.
I thought that ABC recognized the importance of an education, at least that
is what ALL of their publications state, the website also states that. But
it is obvious, once again, that ABC does not adhere to any of their
standards, rules, canons of ethics, etc.
As far as Mr. Yakovich's comments about putting more letters behind your
name, what a joke. By putting CP behind my name, that used to mean there
was a BS, BS, MS, etc. there. It was redundant and a waste of ink. You
don't see a doctor put MD, followed by BS and other crap. It is assumed
that he/she must have surely finished college in something. With ABC's
standards, a BS or BA is assumed, or WAS assumed. I always laughed at the
practitioners that manage to fill a whole line with letters, I am sure that
some of them would also include high school letters if they existed
(HSD--High School Diploma, or GED for some).
On to another issue that the person at ABC told me in our conversation last
week was that the new BOC/ABC crossover people would now be subject to their
canons, and subject to their disciplinary board. That sure makes me feel
better. I reviewed with her TWO seperate times that I filed complaints with
ABC, FORMAL complaints. I had to spend several hours writing the complaints
out in their format, citing the canon and specific points that were
violated, and then cite the violation, including proof, documentation, etc.
Then I had to pay a notary public to sign the complaint, and then mailed
it certified. I know the letter got to ABC. This was when I was just an
amputee, before I decided to get into this field. I never heard anything
from ABC about this, not even a letter acknowleding it was received. I
called them a couple months later, and they said they were not familiar with
it. After telling them that I have a copy of it and proof of a signature
that they received it, they miraculously found it. But, still nothing was
ever done, I don't even think it was ever read by anyone there. Since this
time, people have quit, new ones hired, etc. The most recent complaint was
filed 2 1/2 years ago. They again said it was not received, the same game.
Then they found it, nothing was done. As I sat for the exams, I met with
several of the high ups for ABC and voiced my problems with them. They
promised me they would follow through with it. NOTHING was ever done. Then
they said they did mail it to me, to some old address or something. FUNNY,
they can get me the letter stating that my dues are up and they want money.
BUT they cannot get me a letter explaining that they were doing nothing
about my complaint. The people at ABC know what I am referring to, and I am
still waiting for that letter, as of December, they were supposed to mail a
copy of that letter to the same address they sent my other mail. But why do
I waste my time talking to anyone there. I should have learned by now.
All of this nonsense makes me totally disgusted, and it seems to me, as I
stated before, that ABC should start talking very soon, and tell us what is
going on. But what can they say? I can't think of anything, any reasoning,
nothing, that they could say to possibly un-do the damage that has happened
over the past couple days.
Again, I feel that we should ALL take the BOC offer and join them. If at
the end of this year ABC proves to us that they are incompetent of governing
this organization, then we just don't pay them our dues. What the heck,
next year if we see we made a mistake, we could probably re-join ABC for
$25.
Just my thoughts on a Sunday night.
Jim DeWees, CP (and NOT the $75 variety CP)
_________________________________________________________________
Find things fast with the new MSN Toolbar - includes FREE pop-up blocking!
<URL Redacted>
Citation
Baxter, Steve, “My 2 cents,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 6, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/222739.
