Coalition plans April Legislative Action Day

Members of the Chiropractic Coalition met in Washington, DC last month to discuss its 2005 legislative agenda and finalize plans for the upcoming Legislative Action Day, scheduled for April 14.

Attending the meeting were: Drs. Gary Horwin, Dick Plummer, and Judy Campanale of the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations (FSCO); Drs. Terry Rondberg, Chris Kent, Matt McCoy, Brian Stenzler and Veronica Gutierrez of the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA); and Drs. Don Hirsh, Steve Welch, Coralee Van Egmond and Mike McLean of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA). Also attending were Mr. Ron Hendrickson, executive director of the ICA and WCA lobbyist Jim Albertine.

The Chiropractic Coalition was founded in November 2002 by the WCA, ICA and FSCO to bring together diverse subluxation‑based chiropractic organizations working in the best interest of the public and the profession. Their joint legislative action has helped shape a new image of chiropractic as a cooperative and cohesive profession.

The Coalition's Legislative Day 2004 drew more than 600 DCs and chiropractic supporters to the U.S. Capitol to hear legislators and health care officials discuss chiropractic's role in the health care system. Numerous doctors met personally with lawmakers to explain the needs of the nation's estimated 60,000 licensed DCs, and the complex legislative issues facing Congress.

Although paid political lobbyists are essential for effective political action, most experts say personal contact from constituents can be extremely powerful, since they can translate into actual votes and grass roots support. The ability of the Coalition to mobilize hundreds of DCs to visit with legislators in Washington ‑‑ and motivate thousands of others to lobby their elected officials by phone or email ‑‑ has helped push the Coalition's agenda despite opposition from chiropractic critics and even other chiropractic organizations.

During the meeting, Coalition leaders expressed enthusiasm and optimism about the chances of success in the upcoming legislative sessions and plan to continue working on bills that will extend the role of chiropractic in federal programs.

The Coalition's primary goals include passage of a bill that would provide chiropractic care to U.S. military dependents and retirees through the "Tricare" program. The bill contains provisions requiring that chiropractic services may be provided only by a doctor of chiropractic, without referral by any other health care provider.

In addition, the definition of chiropractic services specifically includes detection and correction of vertebral subluxation, as well as neuromusculoskeletal conditions and "such other chiropractic services determined appropriate by the Secretary." The only restriction it puts on chiropractic is that it does not include the use of drugs or surgery.

Other items on the upcoming agenda include introduction of a bill that would mandate chiropractic coverage in all federal health care insurance policies, and reintroduction of a strengthened Chiropractic Medicare Freedom Bill to protect the unique role of chiropractic in the Medicare system. The Medicare bill would also make it impossible for non‑DCs to be reimbursed for subluxation correction or other services provided exclusively by DCs, and permit reimbursement for X‑rays, exams, and the use of chiropractic instrumentation.

The Coalition also discussed the details of the upcoming Legislative Day and reviewed a list of key legislators who would be invited to attend.

Among the lawmakers present at the 2004 Legislative Day were Sen. Edward Kennedy, who gave the keynote address, and Reps. Donald Manzullo, Bob Filner and Edward Schrock. Also attending was Dr. John Barth, director of Accreditation and State Liaison of the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).

Doctors interested in participating in the Coalition Legislative Day can contact the individual member organizations or visit www.chiropracticcoalition.org. Online register will soon be available at the Coalition site. Detailed information on how to set up and conduct a meeting with legislators will be made available. Participation in the Legislative Day is free and all doctors, regardless of organization affiliation are welcome.