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Orange County Chiropractic District
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Memorandum to: ACA Members, Board of Governors, House of
Delegates and Other Interested Parties In this report: 1. ACA TO PRODUCE VIDEO NEWS RELEASE, TV SPOT FEATURING DEREK PARRA 2. ACA HELPS PROFESSION RESPOND TO STROKE STUDY 3. MORE SUPPORT FOR OUR LAWSUIT AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 4. ACA HELPS PROFESSION RESPOND TO STROKE STUDY 5. CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR HEADACHES 6. ACA LEGISLATIVE OBJECTIVES FOR THE YEAR 7. HOT OFF THE PRESSES: NEWS YOU CAN USE 8. GET 18 HOURS OF LICENSE RENEWAL AND HELP THE LAWSUITS ACA TO PRODUCE VIDEO NEWS RELEASE, TV SPOT FEATURING DEREK PARRA Just days after winning both a gold and silver medal at the Olympics, ACA-sponsored speedskater Derek Parra spoke about the impact chiropractic care has had on his life during an interview in Salt Lake City with a film crew hired by the ACA. The footage will be used for an upcoming video news release and TV spot to help promote the profession. The video news release (VNR) -- which will focus on chiropractic's important role at not only the Olympics, but also in the world of sports in general -- will be released in the near future via satellite to TV news stations across the country. The TV spot - which should be completed within the next month -- will be made available to individual doctors of chiropractic or state associations to run in their local areas. "Doctors of chiropractic have been an important part of the Olympic medical staff for many years," Parra said during the interview. "They help me and many other Olympic athletes compete at our peak." Stay tuned to my weekly report for more information on when the VNR will be released and when the TV spot will be ready for purchase. ACA HELPS PROFESSION RESPOND TO STROKE STUDY In response to a highly publicized paper by Canadian neurologists on chiropractic and the risk of stroke, the ACA has provided chiropractic organizations across the country with a package of materials to address the study when questioned by the media and/or patients. The authors of the outrageous study claim that an estimated 150 Canadian patients younger than 45 suffer strokes each year as a result of chiropractic neck manipulation. Obviously, the ACA believes these statistics are not only inaccurate and grossly exaggerated, but also needlessly alarming to current and potential chiropractic patients. In an effort to help the chiropractic profession present a united front in response to this attack, the ACA recently provided state associations, ACA and SACA leadership, and chiropractic colleges with not only our response to the study itself, but also a list of additional statistics -- compiled with the assistance of Dr. Tony Rosner of FCER and ACA spokesperson Dr. Jerome McAndrews - to help put the risk of stroke after chiropractic cervical manipulation into perspective. Also included was a "Media and You" tip sheet that offers pointers on dealing with the media. This package of information is posted on our Web site at http://www.acatoday.com/hot_topics/memo_stroke.shtml STRONG EDITORIAL SUPPORT IN DYNAMIC CHIROPRACTIC Great article in the March 11th issue of Dynamic Chiropractic on the recent directive from HHS regarding physical therapist and even better editorial from its publisher, Don Peterson, outlining the history of our efforts from 1995 to the present to bring about this success. Read the editorial - it outlines every major meeting and activity of the ACA regarding the PT issue.. He follows this outline with the following statement: "But that's what it takes to win. There is almost never a quick fix, and a knockout punch rarely happens early in the fight. If you're in a fight and aren't willing to do what it takes to win, you'd better get out." He further states, "Major victories are seldom won by individuals. It took a decade of commitment (in the form of ACA member dues and outside contributions) to fight this fight. If we are going to win, we must do it together." I can write numerous articles about how difficult it was to arrive at this victory, but my comments aren't going to have the credibility of those of a neutral body like Mr. Petersen and Dynamic Chiropractic. Thanks, Don, for setting the record straight. Check this out at Dynamic Chiropractic's Web site: http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/06/20.html http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/06/13.html MORE SUPPORT FOR OUR LAWSUIT AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT The March issue of Chiropractic Journal contains a strong editorial by Dr. Terry Rondberg in support of our lawsuit against the federal government. Dr Rondberg makes a strong pitch for contributions to the National Chiropractic Legal Action Fund. Can you recall another issue that has so galvanized this profession as the lawsuits against the federal government and Trigon Blue Cross/Blue Shield? No issue since the Wilk case has brought all the factions of the profession together in this manner. CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR HEADACHES The ACA has designed for members an updated "For Your Health" fact sheet on chiropractic care for headaches. The patient education sheet contains information from the recent Duke University study, which concluded that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for cervicogenic headaches and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than a commonly prescribed medication. As an ACA member, you can download it for free from the ACA's Web site. Just go to www.acatoday.com, enter the "Consumers/Media" section, and then click "Health Tips." (Or go directly to http://www.acatoday.com/media/tips/ ) You'll need to enter your user I.D. and password to access the fact sheet. Just print the fact sheet, attach your business card in the rectangular box on the back, and photocopy it for distribution to your patients. The flier can be used year-round at health fairs or other community events. Speaking of the Web site, you've probably noticed that with the recent makeover of the Web site, there is no separate "Members Only" section as before. In order to make the site more user-friendly and easier to navigate, documents reserved for members only are individually password protected. After you've entered your user name and password once, however, you don't need to access it again. This allows ACA members to move freely from "Members Only" documents to public documents, without having to enter and exit a separate section of the Web site. ACA LEGISLATIVE OBJECTIVES FOR THE YEAR The ACA Legislative Commission met in December to draw up a series of legislative recommendations for the current year. The recommendations were approved by the ACA board of governors at its January meeting. Here are some of the major components of this effort: MEDICARE: Included among the top goals for the year is a major push on Medicare. This effort is composed of numerous parts: a) To continue gathering co-sponsorships for the comprehensive chiropractic Medicare proposal authored by Congressman Wes Watkins. We have received 60 cosponsors and will be making a major push on this at NCLC. The idea will be to attract as many cosponsors as possible so that when an anticipated Medicare vehicle is established in the Congress, which is the only realistic way to get a proposal passed, that our proposal has sufficient support to force the leadership to include it. b) To simultaneously push within the Department of Health and Human Services for a change in Medicare Part B regulations which refuse to pay for diagnostic and other services to doctors of chiropractic. c) To continue to work with other health care providers to resolve the single conversion problem, where because of a formula in the laws all Medicare providers are seeing a reduction in their reimbursement. d) To join with other health care groups in opposing (HR 3363), a measure sponsored by the APTA to acquire direct access to Medicare patients. e) To push for the hiring of a doctors of chiropractic in CMC or in the Office of the Secretary. This lobbying effort will be assisted by statistics developed by a major actuarial firm in Washington, D.C., that showed the cost effectiveness of the profession comparing same conditions treated by different practitioners. DOD: Continue in our efforts to increase the funding for the implementation of chiropractic services into the military so that the process can be expedited. Also push for a change in current laws that place doctors of chiropractic in the Medical Special Corps (which includes physical therapists, osteopaths and other non-independent practices). We want legislation that would allow our doctors to be commissioned in the same military corps as other providers. VA: Push for the implementation of the chiropractic provision in an expeditious manner consistent with the spirit and intent of Congress. As I have indicated in previous reports, we anticipate that the VA will continue to drag their feet in implementing the provisions. We do urge that you contact your member of Congress to request that the VA facility in your area include the availability for chiropractic care. Additionally, you should contact your local veterans group and ask them for their support as well. Student Loan: Continue lobbying for the implementation of the Senate version of the Health Care Services Act, which establishes a three-year funding program for chiropractic doctors to have their student loans forgiven by serving in underserved areas established by the federal government. Managed Care Reform: Work for the inclusion of the ACA amendment in the final managed care reform bill that requires the use of chiropractic doctors to review necessity of care. We will also be dealing with the issue of antitrust legislation, FEHBP, SSI/disability and implementation of the chiropractic provision in the Veterans Administration. Once again we have a very ambitious agenda. We can't and won't make promises. The passage of Medicare legislation among others will be very difficult. But we have to try and we are going in with a head of steam with success in the DOD and VA. If we stick together and continue to utilize our grassroots power, we have an opportunity to be successful. HOT OFF THE PRESSES: NEWS YOU CAN USE The first edition of ACA Addendum: Industry Updates and Chiropractic Solutions has hit the streets. These quarterly updates on coding, HIPAA, Medicare and more are available with your order of either Coding Solutions 2002 or ACA's Medicare Manual. It's fast, easy and accurate information to keep you current on the insurance and regulatory issues that affect your practice. "I was impressed with my first issue of the ACA Addendum. Good information and easily understood. Thanks." - Jeffrey Wheeler, DC (ACA Delegate - Utah) "Nice job on the Addendum...This is good stuff! Every DC will benefit from this quarterly update." - Dr. Kim Christensen, ACA Council on Chiropractic Therapeutics and Rehabilitation If you haven't ordered your subscription, it's not too late. Call 1-800-368-3083 or go to: http://www.lighthousemarket.net/acastore/product.asp?dept%5Fid=2&pf%5Fid=138 GET 18 HOURS OF LICENSE RENEWAL AND HELP THE LAWSUITS Foot Levelers is conducting an 18-hour seminar in San Jose, California, from March 22-24. Half of the proceeds will be donated to the National Chiropractic Legal Action Fund. Further details below: 18 Hours of License-Renewal Credits - ONLY $99! Doctor, how would you like to earn 18 credits toward your license renewal -- for the unbelievably low price of ONLY $99? Well, you can when you register early for Foot Levelers' 50th Anniversary Conference in San Jose, California. This special three-day event, which will be held March 22-24, features chiropractic's best speakers. Doctors will share decades of extensive experience and expertise, discussing a full range of chiropractic techniques, professional philosophies, and motivational skills. An exhibition hall with an array of innovative items will also enable doctors to catch up on the latest technological breakthroughs in their profession. Come and support a wonderful cause -- all proceeds from the symposium will benefit chiropractic! So don't miss this opportunity to improve your practice and your patients' lives, while helping advance the profession. Register today! Join Us in San Jose! Foot Levelers' 50th Anniversary Conference in San Jose is a cost-effective and fun way to earn additional license-renewal credits. Doctors of chiropractic pay ONLY $99 when they sign up at least 5 days in advance. With early registration, chiropractic assistants and students can attend for JUST $49. The conference, which consists of a three-day weekend of lectures, expositions and festivities, kicks off Friday morning (March 22) and ends Sunday at noon (March 24): Friday 9AM - 5PM All engagements and ceremonies are slated for the Santa Clara Marriott, where a bountiful medley of refreshments and celebratory functions will be on hand. Please click here to see our Web site for details: www.footlevelers.com. Don't forget to call the hotel for reservations: Santa Clara Marriott Learn From the Best... Expect lively, interactive sessions with chiropractic's most dynamic and knowledgeable speakers. Each lecturer presents a distinctive approach to the chiropractic health care field, allowing participants to engage in a wide variety of topics. Those speakers scheduled to appear at the 50th Anniversary Conference in San Jose include the profession's biggest names:
Keep in mind that many sessions are concurrent, so you'll need to schedule your time. For details about the events' speakers, call Foot Levelers at 1-800-553-4860 (Canada: 1-800-344-4860) or send an e-mail message to: service@footlevelers.com. Help Chiropractic Colleges and the ACA When You Sign Up The 50th Anniversary Conference in San Jose benefits many facets of the chiropractic profession. Half of all proceeds from the event will go to the college of your choice. The other half will benefit the American Chiropractic Association's National Chiropractic Legal Action Fund (NCLAF), which is seeking to: Protect the profession's continued inclusion in Medicare through its exclusive right to detect and correct subluxations. End the practice of reimbursement discrimination by insurance companies. Support the American Chiropractic Association's legal fund and your alma mater today! Register Today! Signing up for the 50th Anniversary Conference in San Jose is fast and simple. Just call us toll-free at 1-800-553-4860 (Canada: 1-800-344-4860) and mention Key Code 1027. Better yet, SAVE $10 when you click here and register online! www.footlevelers.com. Don't miss this great, money-saving educational event! Foot Levelers, Inc. Phone: Address: Foot Levelers respects the privacy of your e-mail address and does not distribute it to third-party vendors in any instance. If you wish not to receive mailings of this nature, please let us know and we will remove you from our mailing list immediately. ©2002 Foot Levelers, Inc. We have placed my weekly EVP report on our Web site, where members and non-members can download the report in various formats. We will have the report available in "Publications", "EVP Report." The report is available in .html and .txt formats. |
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