Replies: Dealing with the VA for orthotic care, Part I (first post reply to Mr. Simonson)
Kevin Matthews
Description
Collection
Title:
Replies: Dealing with the VA for orthotic care, Part I (first post reply to Mr. Simonson)
Creator:
Kevin Matthews
Date:
6/4/2012
Text:
Following is a compilation of replies to my origin
Hello again,
Following is a compilation of replies to my original post. I have removed names, except one. Mr. Heide stated the factual truth about Veteran choice.
The first post is my reply to the post by Nathan Simonson, CO, the local VA orthotist that is the main reason for my initial post. I will also post separately information obtained from Mr. Joe Miller, Phd, CP, National Director of the VA Prosthetics. I think he is a good man, caught in the middle, and doing the right things to help resolve and diffuse this situation.
Mr. Simonson's post to the list:
Just a quick addition to this post....I feel the O&P link is a great tool for sharing information throughout our profession; however, when the goal is to slander organizations and their staff with unfounded incidents and fabricated lies, it certainly takes away from its intended purpose. I suggest this individual seek some obviously much needed education in matters pertaining to orthotic & prosthetics as it pertains to the this and potentially future situations.
Nathan Simonson, CO
Prosthetic Department
(210) 617-5300 ext. 17161
My reply to him, cc'd to his supervisor, Gordon Bosker, CPO and the Chief, Mrs. Nancy Bishop:
Hello Nate,
I appreciate the not so veiled threat. When I posted this query I fully expected my referrals from the VA to dry up. I realize the people I'm dealing with. I am going to miss taking care of our nation's best, but I believe this needs to be aired.
You say the incidents are unfounded, but your office refused to investigate. A simple phone call to the veterans would have yielded answers. Why would your service leadership refuse a meeting with me? I believe they knew what I had to say, knew it was true, and simply didn't want to hear it. My company has done over 2 1/2 million dollars in business with the VA over the past 5+ years, and I can't even get a meeting to discuss an issue. I believe this to be cowardice. I believe I have a right as a contracted entity, one that has done work for hundreds of veterans without a single complaint, to raise and have addressed policy queries.
You say I fabricated lies. One thing I have never been it is a liar, and I take offense at that comment. I challenge you to prove a single lie. I did make a claim in the post that perhaps veterans were lied to about their options. Mr. Dale Jones, Assistant Chief of Prosthetics, in a conversation we had on Thursday said veterans have a choice, and if they request a vendor they are allowed that choice. I know of a few occasions where you personally disallowed that choice. What I wanted from a meeting was to find out what policy actually is. Does that make any sense at all to you? Is there an actual policy? It appears to change with the wind, or perhaps the provider in question? Wouldn't it make more sense to just say veterans no longer have a choice? Then there would be no question.
By the way, regarding my needing education, I was seeking education when I called. I was lied to. Please ask Mr. Jones what he told me. Perhaps you or he are in need of enlightenment. If you do become so enlightened, would you be so kind as to inform the rest of us what policy is. Something in writing would be awesome!
Replies from the list:
Kevin,
Please go to www.naaop.org and look at what we have been fighting for with
the VA Bill of rights....
Hello again,
Following is a compilation of replies to my original post. I have removed names, except one. Mr. Heide stated the factual truth about Veteran choice.
The first post is my reply to the post by Nathan Simonson, CO, the local VA orthotist that is the main reason for my initial post. I will also post separately information obtained from Mr. Joe Miller, Phd, CP, National Director of the VA Prosthetics. I think he is a good man, caught in the middle, and doing the right things to help resolve and diffuse this situation.
Mr. Simonson's post to the list:
Just a quick addition to this post....I feel the O&P link is a great tool for sharing information throughout our profession; however, when the goal is to slander organizations and their staff with unfounded incidents and fabricated lies, it certainly takes away from its intended purpose. I suggest this individual seek some obviously much needed education in matters pertaining to orthotic & prosthetics as it pertains to the this and potentially future situations.
Nathan Simonson, CO
Prosthetic Department
(210) 617-5300 ext. 17161
My reply to him, cc'd to his supervisor, Gordon Bosker, CPO and the Chief, Mrs. Nancy Bishop:
Hello Nate,
I appreciate the not so veiled threat. When I posted this query I fully expected my referrals from the VA to dry up. I realize the people I'm dealing with. I am going to miss taking care of our nation's best, but I believe this needs to be aired.
You say the incidents are unfounded, but your office refused to investigate. A simple phone call to the veterans would have yielded answers. Why would your service leadership refuse a meeting with me? I believe they knew what I had to say, knew it was true, and simply didn't want to hear it. My company has done over 2 1/2 million dollars in business with the VA over the past 5+ years, and I can't even get a meeting to discuss an issue. I believe this to be cowardice. I believe I have a right as a contracted entity, one that has done work for hundreds of veterans without a single complaint, to raise and have addressed policy queries.
You say I fabricated lies. One thing I have never been it is a liar, and I take offense at that comment. I challenge you to prove a single lie. I did make a claim in the post that perhaps veterans were lied to about their options. Mr. Dale Jones, Assistant Chief of Prosthetics, in a conversation we had on Thursday said veterans have a choice, and if they request a vendor they are allowed that choice. I know of a few occasions where you personally disallowed that choice. What I wanted from a meeting was to find out what policy actually is. Does that make any sense at all to you? Is there an actual policy? It appears to change with the wind, or perhaps the provider in question? Wouldn't it make more sense to just say veterans no longer have a choice? Then there would be no question.
By the way, regarding my needing education, I was seeking education when I called. I was lied to. Please ask Mr. Jones what he told me. Perhaps you or he are in need of enlightenment. If you do become so enlightened, would you be so kind as to inform the rest of us what policy is. Something in writing would be awesome!
Replies from the list:
Kevin,
Please go to www.naaop.org and look at what we have been fighting for with
the VA Bill of rights....
Citation
Kevin Matthews, “Replies: Dealing with the VA for orthotic care, Part I (first post reply to Mr. Simonson),” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 4, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/233762.
