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It's Time for Podiatry to "Occupy" Healthcare

05/04/2012      Peter A. Wiggin, DPM


As I reflect on the resurgence of the Occupy movement, I consider my experiences at this year's APMA House of Delegates. There was much fanfare at the HOD, but the message that I remember most was Dr. Gastwirth's address regarding the failure of the APMA membership to utilize the E-Advocacy site to achieve the professions goals including Title XIX reform.

Although the APMA may be right in regard to the E-Advocacy site, the profession has failed to use any social media activity to secure podiatry's future in the American medical system. A case in point would be Dr. Block's wonderful PM News as a tool to organize our profession towards the future. I continue to read about individual accomplishments and complaints, but no concerted effort towards advocacy or change.

This year why doesn't our profession "occupy" the media with Title XIX reform as it pertains to diabetic limb amputation prevention. Why do we not use the president's own word's to push for Title XIX reform from his August 11, 2009 town hall speech (http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=SG56B2et4M8 ) regarding diabetic amputation prevention.

With New York's success recently allowing podiatrists to treat diabetic lower extremity within the Medicaid system, it now appears the right time to achieve our goals. Maybe our professional association could pick a week where large numbers of our members invite media into diabetic clinics across the country to highlight this discrimination against the diabetic patients and podiatrists regarding Title XIX.

Some would argue that now is not the time with the state and federally budget concerns for podiatric advocacy, but why then put forward legislation ever to promote the repair of Title XIX. I suggest that we can make inclusion of podiatry as "budget neutral" essentially by requesting podiatry inclusion only for currently "covered" medical services.

The next argument would be the cost savings that the President alluded to in his town hall speech in that diabetic amputation prevention actually saves the system money. This year let's make a concerted effort through E-advocacy, PM News and other media outlets to repair Titile XIX prior to the 3rd annual diabetes month in November 2013. What our profession needs is a memorable effort towards our goals even if we have to call ourselves an "occupy" movement. Occupy the diabetic and wound clinics with advocacy for the inclusion of the Doctors of Podiatric Medicine in all future government "basic medical services packages" and have the government, both Republican and Democrat, be forced to show this support through advocacy of HR3364/SB 1309. Now is the time to get this done!

Peter A. Wiggin, DPM, Mansfield, OH, wigone@aol.com