Optometry Government

[Schroder79]

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I've been thinking about the SOA and everything with optometry school I think its obvious that they aren't strongly supported. The AMA is quite a different matter (which is obvious due to their funding). I wonder what others think.

Does everyone have the same agenda for the profession? Is money really the big factor? Is the current body an affective body? (SOA) What do you think?

 

[prettygreeneyes]

I've been thinking about the SOA and everything with optometry school I think its obvious that they aren't strongly supported. The AMA is quite a different matter (which is obvious due to their funding). I wonder what others think.

Does everyone have the same agenda for the profession? Is money really the big factor? Is the current body an affective body? (SOA) What do you think?

Just to clarify for those who may be confused (which I was until my first year actually began!) the SOA (Student Optometric Assoication) is a school wide organization. The AOSA (American Optometric Student Association) is the nation-wide student organization, and a branch of the AOA (American Optometric Association), the national organization for optometry. The AOA is comparable to the AMA. (Unless the medical students call their student association the AMA too, then this gets confusing.)

If you are referring to school wide - yes, I think they are pretty well supported.

Nationwide - that depends. I think the AOA doesn't really pay attention to the things that matter to most optometrists. They say nothing about gigantic class sizes, they do nothing about helping optometrists gain access to medical panels, etc. So, do I support them? Technically, yes, because my dues go to the AOSA. Will I when I'm an optometrist? Maybe... if they get better leadership.

 

[Ben Chudner]

Just to clarify for those who may be confused (which I was until my first year actually began!) the SOA (Student Optometric Assoication) is a school wide organization. The AOSA (American Optometric Student Association) is the nation-wide student organization, and a branch of the AOA (American Optometric Association), the national organization for optometry. The AOA is comparable to the AMA. (Unless the medical students call their student association the AMA too, then this gets confusing.)

If you are referring to school wide - yes, I think they are pretty well supported.

Nationwide - that depends. I think the AOA doesn't really pay attention to the things that matter to most optometrists. They say nothing about gigantic class sizes, they do nothing about helping optometrists gain access to medical panels, etc. So, do I support them? Technically, yes, because my dues go to the AOSA. Will I when I'm an optometrist? Maybe... if they get better leadership.

I wouldn't make general statements about what the AOA does and does not do until you are in a postition to actually observe it's actions directly. I do agree that the AOA needs to look a little more closely at the issues that optometrists seem most concerned with, but you are not correct about the AOA not helping OD's gain access to medical plans. The AOA is leading the fight against federal legislaton that will allow insurance companies to discriminate against specific provider types. If this bill passes, it will make it more difficult for OD's to get on those medical panels. As far as the current issues that some states have with medical panels, currently that is a state issue that has to be taken up by the state association. And before you decide whether or not to support them once you graduate, you should know that when you join your state association, you will automatically join the AOA and a portion of your dues will go to it. You may think that joining the state is not too important, but remember that scope of practice is a state issue just as access to medical panels.

 

[PBEA]

I agree with Ben, AOA has been supporting ODs nationwide since Ive been practicing. In fact they are the only legislative voice of OD's and they have made a difference. Dont listen to people if they say you should not contribute, they are wrong. The AOA is crucial to our success as a profession. They PROTECT each and everyone of us.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

I wouldn't make general statements about what the AOA does and does not do until you are in a postition to actually observe it's actions directly. I do agree that the AOA needs to look a little more closely at the issues that optometrists seem most concerned with, but you are not correct about the AOA not helping OD's gain access to medical plans. The AOA is leading the fight against federal legislaton that will allow insurance companies to discriminate against specific provider types. If this bill passes, it will make it more difficult for OD's to get on those medical panels. As far as the current issues that some states have with medical panels, currently that is a state issue that has to be taken up by the state association. And before you decide whether or not to support them once you graduate, you should know that when you join your state association, you will automatically join the AOA and a portion of your dues will go to it. You may think that joining the state is not too important, but remember that scope of practice is a state issue just as access to medical panels.

Eek... sorry if I offended you, Dr. Chudner. I made those claims based on what I have observed in the practice I worked at, the feelings of my employers, and on ODWire. I didn't say either way whether I would support the AOA or not when I graduate, I said maybe. I stand by my statement that stronger leadership would benefit the association overall. I will have completely different viewpoint in four years, and I'm well aware of that. I am also aware that joining my state association makes me an AOA member. My state (NV) has done little to my knowledge about provider discrimination, despite repeated requests from many of its optometrists. (KHE will tell the story of the state board taking lots of time to ensure that licensed opticians were present at commercial joints, but doing nothing about closed medical panels.) Scope of practice is vital to our profession... but if we can't bill for something, what patients would we practice it on?

If I'm being naive again... please point out the error of my ways. 😉

 

[drmhyde]

I wouldn't make general statements about what the AOA does and does not do until you are in a postition to actually observe it's actions directly. I do agree that the AOA needs to look a little more closely at the issues that optometrists seem most concerned with, but you are not correct about the AOA not helping OD's gain access to medical plans. The AOA is leading the fight against federal legislaton that will allow insurance companies to discriminate against specific provider types. If this bill passes, it will make it more difficult for OD's to get on those medical panels. As far as the current issues that some states have with medical panels, currently that is a state issue that has to be taken up by the state association. And before you decide whether or not to support them once you graduate, you should know that when you join your state association, you will automatically join the AOA and a portion of your dues will go to it. You may think that joining the state is not too important, but remember that scope of practice is a state issue just as access to medical panels.

yeah..what he said. And I can PROMISE you this, the AMA is pushing hard to take your scope away!

 

[rpie]

Eek... sorry if I offended you, Dr. Chudner. I made those claims based on what I have observed in the practice I worked at, the feelings of my employers, and on ODWire. I didn't say either way whether I would support the AOA or not when I graduate, I said maybe. I stand by my statement that stronger leadership would benefit the association overall. I will have completely different viewpoint in four years, and I'm well aware of that. I am also aware that joining my state association makes me an AOA member. My state (NV) has done little to my knowledge about provider discrimination, despite repeated requests from many of its optometrists. (KHE will tell the story of the state board taking lots of time to ensure that licensed opticians were present at commercial joints, but doing nothing about closed medical panels.) Scope of practice is vital to our profession... but if we can't bill for something, what patients would we practice it on?

If I'm being naive again... please point out the error of my ways. 😉

I have said this many times and will say it again; I think ALL OD’s should be a part of their state association! Yes, I agree there are some problems with AOA but what sizable organization doesn’t have problems. If you are un-happy with the direction of Optometry then it’s even more important that you get active in the association to help make a change, you can make a difference!

PGE, not being included on medical panels is a problem, but can be changed. It starts with your association. Get active and maybe you could be a key person that breaks the injustice.

Remember all you OD students will eventually be forefront of Optometry. It will be up to you to help change and mold optometry into the profession that you want it to be. 👍

 

[Ben Chudner]

Eek... sorry if I offended you, Dr. Chudner.

It will take a lot more than that to offend me.😉

 

[Ben Chudner]

I made those claims based on what I have observed in the practice I worked at, the feelings of my employers, and on ODWire.

The west coast has always felt underrepresented in the AOA. I have seen the posts on ODWire and have heard the complaints from doctors such as your employers. All I can say is that the AOA is not perfect, but it is the best we have. There are some very impressive younger OD's that are starting to make their way through the committees and hopefully will be the leadership of tomorrow. Hang in there PGE, there is hope.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

The west coast has always felt underrepresented in the AOA. I have seen the posts on ODWire and have heard the complaints from doctors such as your employers. All I can say is that the AOA is not perfect, but it is the best we have. There are some very impressive younger OD's that are starting to make their way through the committees and hopefully will be the leadership of tomorrow. Hang in there PGE, there is hope.

Thanks for the reassurance Dr. Chudner. 👍 I hope to see some of those "impressive young ODs" materialize in the near future. Maybe I'll join 'em...😉

To the other posters... I NEVER said that I wasn't joining the AOA or my state association. I criticized some of their actions... which is kind of the point of this thread, right?

rpie... Yes, getting on medical panels does start with the state associations, but when myself, and many other optometrists (not students... ACTUAL optometrists) repeatedly contact the association regarding that issue, and don't even receive the courtesy of a response, what do you do then?

PGE

 

[Schroder79]

Thanks for all the responses, I haven't been in the forefront either of any political or optometry positions like that. I wonder though because I know some people who became leaders in that group and they sometimes get an ego from their position and quite honestly, I don't like dealing with them when that occurs even if they do represent me. I lose confidence in their abilities. I'm not a politician so I don't know what all they have to deal with I'm sure, but optometry is different from medicine for a reason.
I agree that we should support SOA and with that support we have been able to help patients more. I just wish money weren't such an issue (dues, lawyer fees, etc. is membership tax deductible?)

 

[rpie]

Thanks for the reassurance Dr. Chudner. 👍 I hope to see some of those "impressive young ODs" materialize in the near future. Maybe I'll join 'em...😉

To the other posters... I NEVER said that I wasn't joining the AOA or my state association. I criticized some of their actions... which is kind of the point of this thread, right?

rpie... Yes, getting on medical panels does start with the state associations, but when myself, and many other optometrists (not students... ACTUAL optometrists) repeatedly contact the association regarding that issue, and don't even receive the courtesy of a response, what do you do then?

PGE

I understand your frustration and have experienced it my self. This is why I became active in my association by serving on different committees such as district trustee, and legislative committee. Again, its not prefect but it did make a difference. 🙂

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

I'm going to post a paragraph written by a past-president of the SCOA.

"If I have a legacy to leave the optometrists of South Carolina, it is to never become complacent. There will always be some group waiting to pounce and take a bite out of your professional hide. Stay active in your association... its the only group you can count on to support you and protect your profession. NOT your civic club, and your country club won't help you. You see, if your profession isn't strong, then it is doubtful you'd be able to support these groups."

The AOA or your state association may not always do exactly what you want, but who else can you turn to? Further, if you're not happy with the way things are, get active and work to change it.