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Memorandum
To: ACA Members, House of Delegates, Board of
Governors and Other Interested Parties
From: Garrett Cuneo
Re: ACA EVP Weekly Report
Date: July 7, 2003
The following items are covered in this week's report:
1. DEATH OF STROM THURMOND A REAL LOSS FOR CHIROPRACTIC
2. ONE IN THREE AMERICANS ARE BLUE
3. CUT IT OUT, WCA
4. OHIO DOCTORS PUSHING MEMBERSHIP
5. FUNDRAISING CONTINUES
6. JUDGE'S TRIGON DECISION BASED ON OKSANEN CASE REFUTED
7. CALL FOR RESEARCH & SCIENCE MANUSCRIPTS
8. ACA'S MICHIGAN DELEGATE GETS APPOINTMENT
9. CHIROPAK BACKPACK - A NEW LOOK AND A NEW WAY TO ORDER!
10. CAN'T ACCESS THESE LINKS?
ALERT: THE HOUSE AND SENATE CONFEREES ON THE MEDICARE REFORM BILL START THIS WEEK TO RECONCILE THEIR DIFFERENCES. NOW IS THE TIME TO CALL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. I HAVE PROVIDED A LINK FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
http://acatoday.com/government/medicare/alert_050503.shtml
1. DEATH OF STROM THURMOND A REAL LOSS FOR CHIROPRACTIC
By now, you have probably read about the passing of Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina. Senator Thurmond, the longest serving member of the Senate, served as chairman of both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Armed Services Committee. In 1948, he was a presidential candidate for the Democratic "Dixiecrat" Party. He was responsible for keeping the southern delegates at the 1968 Republican National Convention in Miami Beach in Richard Nixon's column, keeping Ronald Reagan from getting the nomination at that time.
Senator Thurmond was many things to the country but to chiropractic, he was a champion of the profession before it was popular to support us. He was the author of our proposal in 1992 that authorized (not required) the commissioning of chiropractic doctors in the military. He pushed legislation that established the demonstration project for chiropractic in the armed services, and then was helpful in making chiropractic a permanent benefit. He regularly saw a chiropractic doctor for treatment, but got tired of traveling to the office and finally pushed the Navy department to include a chiropractor in the clinic located at the capitol. He was one of the best salespeople in the Senate for chiropractic. And of course years ago, he brought Duke Short, DC, onto his staff. If you ever wanted letter sent to HCFA, he would do it. If you needed something circulated in the Senate, he would do it. We've made great progress over the last ten years, but we wouldn't have made it this far without Senator Thurmond's support. Through the years, the ACA has shown its appreciation by presenting him with numerous awards, some of which could be seen in his office. But nothing can really express our appreciation for all that he did for chiropractic. He will be missed.
2. ONE IN THREE AMERICANS ARE BLUE
I was struck by a recent release by the national Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association announcing that Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans cover almost one out of every three Americans. Some 88.7 million enrollees are covered in some fashion by the 42 various BC/BS plans. We know that these plans use similar reimbursement mechanisms, such as Medicare's RBRVS and physician advisory committees, in the determination of payment, referral and coverage issues affecting doctors of chiropractic. We also know that the policies and procedures adopted by the Blues are used by other payment programs such as state workers compensation and med pay programs. ACA's and VCA's lawsuit targets the policies of the second-largest of these 42 Blues plans -- Trigon/Anthem -- that now covers individuals in eight states. A decisive victory in that case will, we believe, not only directly impact the plans in those eight states but also directly affect those other 41 plans and other outside plans and programs that may have in place similar anti-chiropractic policies and procedures. Our aim is to eventually assure that every American receives the chiropractic care they deserve.
3. CUT IT OUT, WCA
When the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) attacked Dr. Bill Morgan, the DC working at the capitol for not being a WCA member, I thought it was the height of political irresponsibility. But Dr. Rondberg exceeded my expectations when he recently recommended that his members contact members of Congress to defeat the provisions in the Department of Defense bill (HR 1588), which would accelerate the full implementation of the chiropractic benefit in the armed services by a full year earlier (2005) and would increase DOD funding this year for chiropractic from $12 million to $18 million.(Both the ACC and ICA supported this provision) Without a political action committee (PAC), and with only a part-time lobbyist, we don't really see a threat from this so-called "grassroots" effort by the WCA.. But it certainly is a nuisance, and it really makes our profession look confused and incoherent. As I reported to you a month or two ago, members of the House Armed Serves Committee, including its chairman, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), and the chairman of the Subcommittee on Total Force, Rep. John McHugh (R-NY), circulated a letter to the members in the House touting the provisions of this bill. This is a multi-billion dollar piece of legislation covering a variety of issues. But these members of Congress listed the chiropractic provision when they outlined the top three provisions in the bill in their letter. The letter, written on Congressional Armed Services stationery, cited chiropractic as a reason to support this legislation. That alone is reason to be proud of our profession. Rondberg's message, however, places a damper on this significant event. I have heard Rondberg referred to by many titles: But one thing is for sure -- no one will accuse him of being "politically astute."
4. OHIO DOCTORS PUSHING MEMBERSHIP
ACA delegate Dr. Rick McMichael, and ACA alternate delegate Dr. Rob Sheely of Ohio define what it is to be an effective recruitment team. Establishing a goal of recruiting 200 new members, they have gathered an extensive recruitment team of former and current officers of the Ohio State Chiropractic Association (OSCA), including Drs. Ron Farabaugh, Jeff Fedorko, Steve Bleser, Greg Palkoswki, Stan Casebere; Beth Montrogmery; Bob Poteete, Bret Wilson, Dwaine Everitt, Jud Sprandel and Tom Montgomery. Dr. Sheeley has put together an outstanding membership campaign. Every detail is considered. I think they will meet their goal. If you have an interest in this campaign send Dr. Sheely an email at
drrob@sheelychiro.com.
5. FUNDRAISING CONTINUES
Dr. Mario Spoto, ACA's Pennsylvania delegate, attended a recent Kats Management program in
Pennsylvania and was given an opportunity to show ACA's "Simple Justice" film, featuring Carl S. Cleveland III, DC, and to promote ACA's legal action. Dr. Kevin Donovan, ACA's alternate delegate to Rhode Island, also assisted in this effort, as did representatives from Kats Management. They succeeded in recruiting a number of monthly contributors to the National Chiropractic Legal Action Fund (NCLAF). Kats Management has been very supportive of the NCLAF. We are very grateful for their setting aside some time to allow our representatives to discuss the importance of our ongoing legal action.
Two weekends ago, ACA President Daryl D. Wills, DC, participated in two events in the Chicago area. The first was a presentation before the doctors attending the National University of Health Sciences Homecoming. Here he was given the opportunity to discuss our legal action and to collect contributions for the NCLAF. Dr. Wills was honored with the "Alumnus of the Year" award and a "Presidential Citation" award. Following this presentation, he attended the International Spine Trauma Symposium held that same weekend. Over 200 doctors were in attendance. With strong support from Drs. Linda Zange, Kim Christensen, Fab Mancini, Kent Greenawalt, Carl Cleveland, Mark Sanna and Kent Greenawalt, a total of $11,500 in pledges and contributions was raised for the NCLAF. We expect additional to come in as a result as well. The program was sponsored by the American Chiropractic Association, International Chiropractors Association, Palmer Institute for Professional Advancement and the ACA Rehabilitation Council.
ACA was also an active participant at the recent California Chiropractic Association (CCA) convention, manning ACA's booth for the entire weekend. We were also given an opportunity to present a plaque to the CCA leadership, celebrating their 75th Anniversary. Additionally, we met with CCA members and promoted our legal action in a breakfast meeting sponsored by Custom Wellness. Over 40 doctors viewed the "Simple Justice" film and then listened to me comment on the lawsuits and respond to questions. These doctors really were troopers, considering we got started by 7:00 am. Fortunately, the Simple Justice video overcomes the deficiencies of any speaker.
To view the Simple Justice film, please click here: http://acatoday.com/hot_topics/simplejustice.shtml
6. JUDGE'S TRIGON DECISION BASED ON OKSANEN CASE REFUTED
The original judge in our lawsuit against Trigon BCBS based much of his decision in accepting Trigon's motion for summary judgment on a case known as Oksanen v. Page Memorial Hospital. A careful analysis of the case, however, indicates that the judge seriously misinterpreted this decision. The judge misapplied the case to a fact situation that is very much different than the fact situation in Oksanen. In a case of hospital peer review where the issue is the credentials of an individual doctor, the Oksanen decision applies well. It doesn't apply, however, in the manner the court applied it -- to a group boycott of an entire class of providers by establishing restrictive reimbursement and payment policies. It's an apples and oranges situation.
George McAndrews, Esq. and Tom Daly. Esq., have done an excellent analysis on this situation. To view it, simply click here:
http://www.acatoday.com/legal/trigon/oksanen.shtml
7. CALL FOR RESEARCH & SCIENCE MANUSCRIPTS
As our readers have noticed, JACA has been publishing a new monthly segment, Research & Science. Manuscripts in this segment underwent the Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System's (JNMS) blinded peer review system. JNMS was discontinued at the end of 2002 for financial reasons. With the loss of so many research journals in recent months, we asked the authors of manuscripts that had completed the JNMS review and approval process if they would like to be published in JACA. Most accepted this option. JACA is now indexed in the Cumulative Index to Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Manual Alternative & Natural Therapy Index (MANTIS), the Index to Chiropractic Literature, and SPORTDiscus.
With the guidance of Dr. Alan Adams, the new chairman of the JACA Editorial Board, and Dr. Kerwin Winkler, JACA's Executive Editor, the journal is setting up a blinded peer review system for new manuscripts to be published in the Research & Science segment. A broad array of chiropractic topics will be considered. Of particular interest to JACA's peer reviewers are manuscripts that further understanding of the scientific bases and clinical applications of chiropractic. Authors whose manuscripts are accepted for publication will be requested to sign a conflict of interest statement.
Authors with further questions are invited to call or email Carol Marleigh Kline, the managing editor of JACA at 703/276-8800, ext. 204, or
ckline@amerchiro.org
8. ACA'S MICHIGAN DELEGATE GETS APPOINTMENT
Dr. Phil Knight, ACA's Michigan delegate, was recently appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm (D-MI) to the Michigan Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Dr. Knight was appointed to replace Dr. Ed Maurer, who passed away suddenly in April.
9. CHIROPAK BACKPACK - A NEW LOOK AND A NEW WAY TO ORDER!
Offer your patients a backpack that is truly ergonomic--reducing muscle fatigue and stress on the spine. The ACA-endorsed Chiropak backpack is carried by Samsonite, and is now available through Scrip Chiropractic Supply, making it even easier for doctors of chiropractic to purchase this unique backpack.
The Chiropak recently received a new look and includes these new features:
 | More padding on the top handle of the bag for easier toting and carrying.
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| A new top-front utility pocket designed to hold a CD player or an MP3 player, with convenient cord access.
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| Extra side pockets for additional storage of smaller items.
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| An even more durable base.
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| New molded-rubber zipper pulls. |
The Samsonite Chiropak, available in either blue or black, comes in three sizes: small, medium and large. To determine the user's most appropriate Chiropak size, measure the trunk height (hipline to top of shoulder) and select the next largest size.
| Measuring Tips |
Prices
(Quantities
of 1-5) |
Small
Medium
Large
|
16 inches
40 cm
18 inches
45 cm
20 inches
50 cm. |
$39.99
$42.99
$45.99
|
To order, call Scrip Chiropractic Supply at 800-747-3488 and don't forget to mention you are a doctor of chiropractic! Ask about Samsonite's specially designed holders to display the Samsonite Chiropak in your chiropractic office.
10. CAN'T ACCESS THESE LINKS?
Some of you have been unable to download my PDF links. To view these file types,
you need Adobe's Acrobat Reader. This is a free utility available at www.adobe.com. If you need further assistance
viewing anything referred to in this report, please e-mail me at gcuneo@amerchiro.org. |
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