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Hot Topics
What Does the Profession
Say About ACA vs. HCFA?
"Though the name and face have changed, this attack on
chiropractic is virtually the same one we encountered with Wilk vs.
AMA over 30 years ago. We hope the profession will apply now what we
learned then: Our divisiveness will be the victory of our opponents;
our solidarity will be their defeat. Any doctor, organization,
supplier, college or other institution with a stake in the future of
chiropractic should join the ACA in this historic mission."
Chester Wilk, DC; Michael Pedigo, DC; James Bryden, DC;
Patricia Arthur, DC, Plaintiffs, Wilk vs. AMA
"I have been an ACA member since 1966 and this is great!
I'm sick and tired of being a second class provider…Go for it!"
John Kellenberger, DC, ACA member
"The impact this decision can make on chiropractic is
services is huge! We simply could not have made a better investment
of funds for the future of chiropractic."
Mal Doyle,
Executive Director, Connecticut Chiropractic Association
"NACA is pleased to support the American Chiropractic
Association in its efforts to assure that Medicare beneficiaries
continue to have access to chiropractic services now and in the
future. NACA is also cognizant of the fact that Medicare
reimbursement and coverage models often serve as a template for
private payor systems. We simply cannot afford to permit the
proposed Part C regulatory scheme as a framework for private managed
care plans."
Paul Lambert, President, National
Association of Chiropractic Attorneys
"Kansas was the first state to pass a chiropractic
licensing law and now continues that leadership example by being one
of the first state associations to formally endorse the HCFA
lawsuit. We commend the ACA for taking charge on this important
issue and challenge all other state associations to match or exceed
the $5000 contribution from Kansas."
R. Jerry DeGrado,
DC, President, Kansas Chiropractic Association
"Because the MC/NC Board also recognizes the potential
threat to all of chiropractic and in particular those of use who
function in a managed care arena, it has unanimously voted to
contribute $1,000 to the HCFA Lawsuit/Legal Action Fund on behalf of
all MC/NC member providers. We are proud to say that we are the
first chiropractic IPA in the country to donate, but honestly hope
it will encourage others to do so as well."
Dennis
Brownridge, Chairman, Michigan Chiro/Net Corporation
"As many know, HCFA has promulgated new regulations in
Medicare+Choice. The regulations allow other providers to perform
spinal manipulation in place of chiropractors in Medicare Part C.
The COCSA board of directors feel this is a compelling issue. Many
times changes in the Medicare program are reflected in other aspects
of the insurance industry. Therefore, the COCSA Board of Directors
has voted to donate to the legal fund undertaken by the ACA in this
important lawsuit against HCFA and Medicare. The COCSA board
encourages all chiropractic associations and individual
practitioners to investigate this lawsuit. Keep in mind, if
chiropractors don't fight for chiropractic who will!!!"
Dale I. Cohen, DC, President, Congress of Chiropractic
State Associations
"We, in the PCA, understand that 'as HCFA/Medicare goes,
so goes the world.' Many if not all third party payers look to HCFA
policy when setting their own standards. In PA, both our Work Comp
and Auto acts are tied directly to the Medicare fee schedule. Also,
it wasn't long after HCFA decided to discontinue hot & cold pack
reimbursement, that private insurers here followed suit. The PCA
realizes that this is a fight for the survival of this profession.
Chiropractic services constitute a great deal more than just a high
velocity low amplitude thrust to the articulations of the spine.
That is why we are donating $2500 and pledging $7500 more."
Mark Minuto, DC, President, Pennsylvania Chiropractic
Association
"Our association has been tracking the ACA's effort to
persuade HCFA to ensure coverage for services provided by
chiropractors in the Medicare+Choice plans. It is regrettable that a
cost-intensive lawsuit appears to be the only avenue of pursuit that
remains open to the profession. Having sued the State of Louisiana
in the mid-1980's, we are certainly appreciative of how quickly the
cost of such an endeavor can escalate. We remain grateful for the
financial assistance provided by the ACA at that time and would,
now, like to reciprocate…Though our legal battle at the state level
was a protracted one, CAL eventually prevailed. We wish for the ACA,
and the profession, a shorter path to victory."
Kathy
Chittom, Executive Director, Chiropractic Association of
Louisiana
"You know I have been a great supporter of yours for years
and I again support you and the ACA 100% on this issue. I am sending
a contribution to the ACA as this letter is being written."
John L. Stump, DC, Ph.D., ACA member, in a letter to
Michael Pedigo, DC, ACA President
"The leadership of the Michigan Chiropractic Society has
voted to lend financial support to the American Chiropractic
Association in their effort to force the Department of Health and
Human Services to ensure access to chiropractic care by Medicare
patients enrolled in health maintenance organizations. We believe
this is one of the most critical fights the chiropractic profession
and chiropractic patients have ever faced. We urge every Michigan
chiropractor to join the battle and make a contribution now!"
Lew Squires, DC, President, Michigan Chiropractic Society
"The South Dakota Chiropractors' Association is proud to
be among the very first state chiropractic associations to support
ACA's lawsuit against HCFA. Our members recognize the serious
consequences of this situation and most realize that our very
existence is now in question. I would encourage all state
chiropractic associations -- as well as all individual chiropractors
- to support this landmark lawsuit. We simply cannot afford to lose
by apathy; we must prevail at all costs!"
Thomas L. Ivey,
DC, Former President, South Dakota Chiropractors Association
"Congratulations to the ACA on this aggressive endeavor.
We will never get anywhere just playing defense. I'm proud of the
good work of the ACA leadership. I wish you the very best."
S.M.Elliott, DC, President, Texas Chiropractic
College
"Over the years there have been many challenges to the
chiropractic profession which have been significant. This is one of
those issues where everyone needs to support the effort and
establish the chiropractic identity and ownership of chiropractic
manipulation."
Louis Sportelli, DC, President, NCMIC
"The V.I. Chiropractic Society has voted to support the
ACA in its pending legal action against the Department of Health and
Human Services. We feel our rights as primary health care physicians
utilizing a Vitalistic approach to neuromusculoskeletal diseases
should only be practiced by persons who have the proper education
and training in this complex subject. It must be made public
knowledge that Chiropractic is more than the manipulation tool, just
as surgery is more than a scalpel. In either case in the untrained
hand, it can do more harm than good."
Dana E. Moses, DC,
President, V.I. Chiropractic Society
"This lawsuit is critical to the viability of the
chiropractic profession and the managed care arena and the Montana
Chiropractic Association appreciates and supports the efforts of the
ACA 100%. The chiropractic profession again finds itself defending
its position in the health care system. This is not a battle we can
lose. I urge everybody to support this lawsuit to preserve the
chiropractic profession in the managed care system. The effects of
this lawsuit are real. Look at what has happened in California. It
is time to fight back!"
Gregory D. Pisk, DC, CCSP,
President, Montana Chiropractic Association
"While it is regretful that the chiropractic profession is
once again forced to defend its rightful place in the healthcare
delivery system, we cannot allow the proposed changes by the Health
Care Financing Administration to stand. As president of the Illinois
Chiropractic Society, I am pleased to support the ACA Legal Defense
Fund and urge all members to contribute for the sake of the
profession."
John W. Galbreath, President, Illinois
Chiropractic Society
"The Iowa Chiropractic Society is pleased to contribute to
the ACA's lawsuit against HCFA. We believe the outcome is extremely
important to the chiropractic profession, particularly in Iowa where
over 22% of the people seek chiropractic care. Those health
professionals, who have condemned chiropractic in the past, now want
to incorporate it into their own practices - with only a simple
weekend seminar of training. For the protection of the public and
for the survival of the profession, we hope your actions are
successful so that this unethical activity can be eliminated."
Rod R. Rebarcak, DC, President, Iowa Chiropractic
Society
"On behalf of the Michigan Society of Chiropractic
Orthopedists, I respectfully submit a check for $5000 to aid in the
HCFA lawsuit. The chiropractic profession must stand up and be
counted if we want a viable future in the healing arts. Hopefully,
this small token of appreciation will help light a fire at the end
of the tunnel."
Gary R. Bergeson, DC, President, Michigan
Society of Chiropractic Orthopedists
"The Northeast Chiropractic Council, which currently
represents over 7,000 chiropractors, supports and is pleased to
contribute to the American Chiropractic Association's HCFA lawsuit.
We recognize that the Medicare part C regulations pose a real threat
to patients' rights when they need, but cannot receive, chiropractic
care. We feel that this barrier to chiropractic access will be
spread from Medicare to other government-sponsored health benefit
programs as well. The North East Chiropractic Council urges its
association members to contribute to this important effort."
Barry Freedman, MS, DC, President, North East
Chiropractic Council
"These Health Care Financing Administration regulations
can, without question, seriously damage the entire chiropractic
profession. The ACA and chiropractic have never needed our support
more. This is both a duty and an obligation to anyone involved in
this great profession. To not come forward and support this cause is
a vote for the denial of chiropractic care to millions of Americans.
Write a check today - give way more than you think you can afford.
There is no better investment."
Kent S. Greenawalt,
President, Foot Leveler's Inc.
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