Woes in Texas, Fw: CRUNCH TIME....The opposition is pressing HARD!
Kevin Matthews
Description
Collection
Title:
Woes in Texas, Fw: CRUNCH TIME....The opposition is pressing HARD!
Creator:
Kevin Matthews
Date:
5/16/2013
Text:
In Texas we have a bill before our Senate to allow doctors
Hello all,
In Texas we have a bill before our Senate to allow doctors to designate people, anyone he wishes, to be orthotic fitters. They can assign indiscriminately the duties and responsibilities of an orthotist. They alone determine the amount of customization of an orthosis and the level of education of their designee, which of course includes sales reps. I am utterly amazed it made it out of committee. I, and my staff have sent numerous faxes, e-mails and letters opposed to this invasion.
Just imagine the implications. Is this real? Following is a post I received today.
Kevin C. Matthews, CO/LO
Advanced Orthopedic Designs
12315 Judson Rd. #206
San Antonio, Texas 78233
(210) 657-8100
(210) 657-8105 fax
----- Forwarded Message -----
>From: Texas Association of Orthotists & Prosthetist < <Email Address Redacted> >
>To: <Email Address Redacted>
>Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2013 7:45 PM
>Subject: CRUNCH TIME....The opposition is pressing HARD!
>
>
>
>Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
>
>
>Bending Iron: Breaking News
>May 16, 2013
>TAOP Member Mark Kirchner shared the following:
>
>
>I spent this morning in Austin visiting every member on the house calendar committee and discussed or opposition to SB 505. The fight is not over until Sunday at 10:00pm. I am asking everyone again to call and fax every members office if you have not done so already. It is extremely important for their staff to hear that we oppose the bill.
>
>The other side is pressing hard with their message as well.
>
>Remember to represent yourself so that it will be more personable to the member.
>Please continue this request today, tomorrow and into the weekend until further notice.
>
>They have heard our requests, so please don't give up now!!
>
>Thanks to all for taking the time to protect our profession from others who are not qualified to see patients for O&P services.
>
>Mark Kirchner
>
>
>MAY 19TH CALENDAR DEADLINE!
>
>
>The focus now needs to be on the House Calendars Committee.
>HERE is the contact information for all members of the Calendars Committee (please note that Rep. Sarah Davis the bill author is also on the committee DO NOT CALL HER).
>Calendars Committee
>Name Office Phone Number Fax Number Hometown
>Todd Hunter, Chair (512) 463-0672 (512) 463-2101 Corpus Christi
>Eddie Lucio, III (512) 463-0606 (512) 463-0660 Harlingen
>Robert Alonzo (512) 463-0408 (512) 463-1817 Dallas/Grand Pairie
>Carol Alvarado (512) 463-0732 (512) 463-4781 Houston
>Dan Branch (512) 463-0367 (512) 322-9935 Dallas
>Angie Chen Button (512) 463-0486 (512) 463-0793 Richardson
>Byron Cook (512) 463-0730 (512) 463-2506 Corsicana
>Myra Crownover (512) 463-0582 (512) 463-0471 Lake Dallas/Denton
>Sarah Davis
>(DO NOT CALL) (512) 463-0389 (512) 463-1374 Houston
>Craig Eiland (512) 463-0502 (512) 936-4260 Galveston
>John Frullo (512) 463-0676 (512) 463-0072 Lubbock
>Charlie Geren (512) 463-0610 (512) 463-8310 Fort Worth
>Helen Giddings (512) 463-0953 (512) 463-5887 DeSoto/Dallas
>John Kuempel (512) 463-0602 (512) 480-0391 Seguin
>Doug Miller (512) 463-0325 (512) 463-6161 New Braunfels
>
>
>It is important to note that HB 1161 the House Companion to SB 505 never made it out of the House Committee (despite being heard on March 27th).
>
>The message to these members is very simple: We need them to TAG this bill in the Calendars Committee (this is just another way of saying we want them to vote against the bill in committee).
>
>The main points to give staff or the members are as follows:
> * This bill is a very bad vendor bill that will allow unlicensed sales representatives for brace companies to provide medical treatment without proper patient protections or medical training.
> * The bill invalidates important medical training requirements (state law requires a 4-year degree and 1,900 hours of supervised clinical practice). Unfortunately, this bill would allow office staff of physicians and sales representatives for brace companies (who have a financial interest in pushing their product) to provide medical care without the same training or protections licensed O&P providers have under state law.
> * The bill had significant opposition in Public Health Committee and not a single patient testified for the bill in either the House or Senate while several patients and patient rights groups testified against the measure.
> * The bill guts the regulatory system that has been in place in Texas since 1997 and has served patients extremely well.
>If you need more detail on the issues DOWNLOAD THE ONE-PAGER.
>
>DOWNLOAD THE LETTER OF OPPOSITION from the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities.The letter is a good example of a basic opposition letter.
>
>We need PROVIDERS, PATIENTS, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS of our position to call/fax members of the House Calendars Committee NOW.
>
>Individuals from the members district or region are the most effective to contact them.
>
>Please fax very simple letters to the members offices (in addition to a phone call) asking them to keep SB 505 from being placed on a House Calendar.
>
>Please report any feedback so we can track where specific members are leaning. We of course will be making our own visits with Calendar Committee members as well.
>
>The deadline for Senate Bills being placed on a House Calendar is 10pm on Sunday May 19th, so the next 10 days is critical.
>
>Thank you in advance for your efforts on this important matter.
>
>Questions?
>Contact:
>Snapper L. Carr
>Partner & General Counsel
>Focused Advocacy, LLC823 Congress Avenue, Suite 1200
>Austin, Texas 78701
>512.637.6020 (office)
>512.917.0044 (cell)
>
>
>
>T.A.O.P.
>210.591.8267
>
>
>The Texas Association of Orthotists & Prosthetists (T.A.O.P.) is continually striving to better the Orthotic & Prosthetic Industry in the State of Texas in order to enhance the Quality of Patient Care and Outcomes.
>
>
>www.taop.org
>STAY CONNECTED
>
>
>
>Forward this email
>
>This email was sent to <Email Address Redacted> by <Email Address Redacted> |
>Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.
>Texas Association of Orthotists & Prosthetists| 9211 West Road, Ste. 143-116| Houston| TX| 77064
>
>
Hello all,
In Texas we have a bill before our Senate to allow doctors to designate people, anyone he wishes, to be orthotic fitters. They can assign indiscriminately the duties and responsibilities of an orthotist. They alone determine the amount of customization of an orthosis and the level of education of their designee, which of course includes sales reps. I am utterly amazed it made it out of committee. I, and my staff have sent numerous faxes, e-mails and letters opposed to this invasion.
Just imagine the implications. Is this real? Following is a post I received today.
Kevin C. Matthews, CO/LO
Advanced Orthopedic Designs
12315 Judson Rd. #206
San Antonio, Texas 78233
(210) 657-8100
(210) 657-8105 fax
----- Forwarded Message -----
>From: Texas Association of Orthotists & Prosthetist < <Email Address Redacted> >
>To: <Email Address Redacted>
>Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2013 7:45 PM
>Subject: CRUNCH TIME....The opposition is pressing HARD!
>
>
>
>Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
>
>
>Bending Iron: Breaking News
>May 16, 2013
>TAOP Member Mark Kirchner shared the following:
>
>
>I spent this morning in Austin visiting every member on the house calendar committee and discussed or opposition to SB 505. The fight is not over until Sunday at 10:00pm. I am asking everyone again to call and fax every members office if you have not done so already. It is extremely important for their staff to hear that we oppose the bill.
>
>The other side is pressing hard with their message as well.
>
>Remember to represent yourself so that it will be more personable to the member.
>Please continue this request today, tomorrow and into the weekend until further notice.
>
>They have heard our requests, so please don't give up now!!
>
>Thanks to all for taking the time to protect our profession from others who are not qualified to see patients for O&P services.
>
>Mark Kirchner
>
>
>MAY 19TH CALENDAR DEADLINE!
>
>
>The focus now needs to be on the House Calendars Committee.
>HERE is the contact information for all members of the Calendars Committee (please note that Rep. Sarah Davis the bill author is also on the committee DO NOT CALL HER).
>Calendars Committee
>Name Office Phone Number Fax Number Hometown
>Todd Hunter, Chair (512) 463-0672 (512) 463-2101 Corpus Christi
>Eddie Lucio, III (512) 463-0606 (512) 463-0660 Harlingen
>Robert Alonzo (512) 463-0408 (512) 463-1817 Dallas/Grand Pairie
>Carol Alvarado (512) 463-0732 (512) 463-4781 Houston
>Dan Branch (512) 463-0367 (512) 322-9935 Dallas
>Angie Chen Button (512) 463-0486 (512) 463-0793 Richardson
>Byron Cook (512) 463-0730 (512) 463-2506 Corsicana
>Myra Crownover (512) 463-0582 (512) 463-0471 Lake Dallas/Denton
>Sarah Davis
>(DO NOT CALL) (512) 463-0389 (512) 463-1374 Houston
>Craig Eiland (512) 463-0502 (512) 936-4260 Galveston
>John Frullo (512) 463-0676 (512) 463-0072 Lubbock
>Charlie Geren (512) 463-0610 (512) 463-8310 Fort Worth
>Helen Giddings (512) 463-0953 (512) 463-5887 DeSoto/Dallas
>John Kuempel (512) 463-0602 (512) 480-0391 Seguin
>Doug Miller (512) 463-0325 (512) 463-6161 New Braunfels
>
>
>It is important to note that HB 1161 the House Companion to SB 505 never made it out of the House Committee (despite being heard on March 27th).
>
>The message to these members is very simple: We need them to TAG this bill in the Calendars Committee (this is just another way of saying we want them to vote against the bill in committee).
>
>The main points to give staff or the members are as follows:
> * This bill is a very bad vendor bill that will allow unlicensed sales representatives for brace companies to provide medical treatment without proper patient protections or medical training.
> * The bill invalidates important medical training requirements (state law requires a 4-year degree and 1,900 hours of supervised clinical practice). Unfortunately, this bill would allow office staff of physicians and sales representatives for brace companies (who have a financial interest in pushing their product) to provide medical care without the same training or protections licensed O&P providers have under state law.
> * The bill had significant opposition in Public Health Committee and not a single patient testified for the bill in either the House or Senate while several patients and patient rights groups testified against the measure.
> * The bill guts the regulatory system that has been in place in Texas since 1997 and has served patients extremely well.
>If you need more detail on the issues DOWNLOAD THE ONE-PAGER.
>
>DOWNLOAD THE LETTER OF OPPOSITION from the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities.The letter is a good example of a basic opposition letter.
>
>We need PROVIDERS, PATIENTS, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS of our position to call/fax members of the House Calendars Committee NOW.
>
>Individuals from the members district or region are the most effective to contact them.
>
>Please fax very simple letters to the members offices (in addition to a phone call) asking them to keep SB 505 from being placed on a House Calendar.
>
>Please report any feedback so we can track where specific members are leaning. We of course will be making our own visits with Calendar Committee members as well.
>
>The deadline for Senate Bills being placed on a House Calendar is 10pm on Sunday May 19th, so the next 10 days is critical.
>
>Thank you in advance for your efforts on this important matter.
>
>Questions?
>Contact:
>Snapper L. Carr
>Partner & General Counsel
>Focused Advocacy, LLC823 Congress Avenue, Suite 1200
>Austin, Texas 78701
>512.637.6020 (office)
>512.917.0044 (cell)
>
>
>
>T.A.O.P.
>210.591.8267
>
>
>The Texas Association of Orthotists & Prosthetists (T.A.O.P.) is continually striving to better the Orthotic & Prosthetic Industry in the State of Texas in order to enhance the Quality of Patient Care and Outcomes.
>
>
>www.taop.org
>STAY CONNECTED
>
>
>
>Forward this email
>
>This email was sent to <Email Address Redacted> by <Email Address Redacted> |
>Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.
>Texas Association of Orthotists & Prosthetists| 9211 West Road, Ste. 143-116| Houston| TX| 77064
>
>
Citation
Kevin Matthews, “Woes in Texas, Fw: CRUNCH TIME....The opposition is pressing HARD!,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/235217.
