Re: Clarifying the Academy's Position

Re: Clarifying the Academy's Position

Sam Hamontree

3/14/2005

I have some questions as regards some issues discussed in the Academy's
letter signed by David Moretto, President and which discusses
Clarifying the Academy's Position:
 
Issue #1: In your 2nd paragraph you state that In late 2004 Academy
leadership met with the APTA, and we determined this legislative
proposal would not impact orthotic and prosthetic services, ____ -
________.
 
Question #1:
Since OUR leadership met with the APTA and determined the legislation
would not impact O&P; why in the
world did you not communicate such determination (not to mention your
rationale) to US, the
membership? And secondly, why in the world did you not communicate such
to the other
O&P organizations so all of our organizations could have been on the
same page.
 
You are still not telling us what the APTA told you to cause you to
change such an important position - a position which has great potential
negative on O&P and its patients.
 
You statement at this time in and of itself says nothing to US - the
uninformed!
 
Issue #2: You bold/underlined paragraph is nothing more than a
motherhood and apple pie statement. For gosh sakes, that is and has
been the position of anyone in and related to the field of O&P since
for ever. Certainly since 1957 - the year I came into the field.
 
Issue #3: You feel the best approach is to underscore the points of
agreement,. Fine, but how are we YOUR membership to understand just
why you went along with the APTA on this issue - a MAJOR issue?
 
As a member of AAOP and an owner of a Facility Member of AOPA and a
Company Member of NAAOP, I have this to say to all of our organizations:
 
WE (the folks in the field) originally formed these organizations and
continue to support these organizations to have them work in our best
interests (and that certainly applies to the best interests of our
patients). In that regard, I feel it is high time the organizations
work for and in the best interests of the field -- NOT - ABSOLUTELY NOT
JUST IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THEIR ORGANIZATION!!! WE NEED YOU TO WORK
TOGETHER IN OUR AND OUR PATIENTS BEST INTERESTS!!! PUT YOUR MEMBERSHIPS
AHEAD OF YOUR ORGANIZATIONS!!!
 
    Sam E. Hamontree, CP
    OrPro, Inc.
    17310 Redhill Ave., Suite 105
    Irvine, CA 92614
        949-863-1951

________________________________

From: The Academy [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>]
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 9:30 AM
To: Sam Hamontree
Subject: Clarifying the Academy's Position


 < <URL Redacted>>
Dear Sam:

You may have received an electronic letter from AOPA on Friday afternoon
regarding the Academy's decision not to oppose the American Physical
Therapy Association's (APTA) Medicare Direct Access Initiative. I would
like to clearly state the position of the Academy Board as it currently
exists, based upon our understanding of the legislation and our meetings
with the APTA.

In 2003 we joined in formal opposition against the Direct Access
Initiative. In late 2004 Academy leadership met with the APTA, and we
determined this legislative proposal would not impact orthotic and
prosthetic services, as the provision of such care will continue to
require a physician's prescription to be covered. We indicated to the
APTA that we would not oppose this legislation at this time.

The Academy will not, and does not support any legislation that
compromises the quality of orthotic and prosthetic services and we
believe that these services must be provided by appropriately educated
orthotists and prosthetists.

We disagree with the APTA over many issues, however we believe the best
approach is to underscore our points of agreement, rather than to
continuously emphasize our differences.

AOPA's letter to their membership misrepresented the Academy's position
and intent, but we would agree with them that communication between our
organizations on such issues should improve. Disagreements in how best
to achieve our shared goals are inevitable, but they need not be a
reason to divide two organizations that share a common concern. We will
increase our efforts and continue our commitment to working with all the
other national organizations to improve communication.

We will continue to keep our membership informed of these dynamic and
complex issues as progress is made.

Sincerely,

David Moretto, CP, FAAOP
President
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists
<Email Address Redacted>

 < <URL Redacted>>
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