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Press Releases | The Chiropractic Choice
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The 21.1 percent Medicare fee cut mandated under the controversial SGR formula adopted by Congress a decade ago has been postponed for six months. President Obama signed the legislation, “Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010” on June 25th after the postponement was approval by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The House vote on June 24th however came nearly a week after CMS began processing claims that included the 21.1 percent fee cut. This means that the agency will be obliged under the terms of the new legislation to go back and re-calculate new reimbursement levels and send supplemental payments to providers, both making up the 21.1 percent deduction and adding the additional 2.2 percent fee increases authorized by Congress. Because significant computer claims processing programs will need to be revised, CMS has not offered any timetable for the revised payments to be processed and distributed. |
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 Registrations for the Pediatrics Conference are now in full swing. Topics range from helping kids with autism spectrum disorders, tourette syndrome, to what a DC should know about childhood cancers, epigenetics of pregnancy, and more. There are practical, hands-on adjusting technique workshops and research paper presentations
The dynamic line-up of speakers include Dr. Dr. Laura Hanson, Dr. Dan Murphy, Dr. Carol Phillips, Dr. Lora Tanis, Dr. Peter Fysh, Dr. Liz Anderson Peacock and Dr. Michael Gruttadauria. With the continuing increase of autistic children seeking chiropractic care, Dr. Gruttaduria’s lecture should be of special interest. ”Dr. Mike” as he is affectionately called, has three children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental or autistic spectrum disorders and has dedicated his life and practice to helping families with kids diagnosed with autism. What he has learned through practical experience and thousands of hours of research he is willing to share so children can be helped to live a better life.. Dr. Mike fully believes that having the right knowledge and following right treatment strategies can enhance nervous system function and dramatically increase the potential of a child with autism. Don’t miss this conference register before July 12 and save! Click here for more information..
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The US House of Representatives voted 219 - 212 on Sunday in a roll call vote on which every Member present went on record, to approve a health care reform bill passed by the Senate in December. The bill, HR 3590 was passed after only two hours of debate Sunday evening, passing with no Republican support. The legislation now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature before becoming the law of the land. The Associated Press reports that President Obama is set to sign the sweeping reform into law on Tuesday during a ceremony on the White House’s South Lawn.
Click here for full story
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HE’LL BE BACK! ICA’s Symposium on Natural Fitness for 2010 will once again include a personal presentation by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, himself! The 18th Annual ICA Symposium on Natural Fitness is presenting a multi-faceted program, featuring a quality lineup of exciting, star-packed presentations that has made it the highlight of the chiropractic calendar for over a decade and a half.
Mark your calendars for March 5-7, 2010 and come to our gala program at The Columbus Renaissance Hotel in Columbus, Ohio for a full and fantastic weekend of powerful presenters, fitness stars, champion athletes, and innovative, practical chiropractic continuing education offerings. There’s no other program on exercise, sports, and chiropractic like the ICA Symposium on Natural Fitness, and includes special highlights: your Symposium registration includes entry to events at the largest multi-sport event in the nation – the Arnold Sports Festival – through that weekend!
Visit the Symposium InfoSite through ICA’s Home Page at www.chiropractic.org for details and to register online, or call (800) 423-4690 or (703) 528-5000 (Eastern Time Zone) for faxed materials on program offerings, schedule details, faculty highlights, and registration materials. JOIN US at the 18th Annual ICA Symposium on Natural Fitness with Arnold Schwarzenegger and be part of a dynamic, multi-faceted weekend that is completely unique in its energy, educational impact, variety, and star power!
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Click the image to visit the websites
The first printed edition of hardbound copies of the ICA Best Practices Guidelines are sold out, but you can download the documents (as PDFs) online. They’ll also be published online by the National Guideline Clearinghouse at www.guideline.gov.
The Radiology Protocols have also been accepted by the National Guideline Clearinghouse and are immediately available from www.pccrp.org (each chapter as a PDF), or click here for the whole document (8MB).
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 New legislation “To amend the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 to require the provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans at all Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers,” S 1204, was introduced in the US Senate on June 8, 2009 by Washington Senator Patty Murray. Her new initiative will help end an unfair disparity in the availability of chiropractic care for veterans at a time when the need for chiropractic services has become urgent. “This important Senate initiative is vital to enhancing the quality and timeliness of care available to our veterans,” said Dr. Michael McLean, Co-Chairman of ICA’s Legislative Committee. “S 1204 represents a critical frontier for the veteran and the chiropractic profession alike, and ICA urges every doctor of chiropractic in the United States to make the passage of this bill a top priority and personally act today to get their US Senators to sign on as co-sponsors.” Log-on or subscribe to www.AdjustTheVote.org, and just click on “Current Actions”, then click on “Request Co-sponsorship S 1204….Details”; review the message and check the box under “Take Actions”. You will be taken to the AdjustTheVote Communication Page and just follow the instructions to send email, letters and/or faxes; the correspondence is prepared for you to customize and sign. Take action and do this today! more»
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 Dr. Daniel J. Murphy was honored as ICA’s 2009 Chiropractor of the Year at the Association’s 83rd Annual Meeting held in Washington, DC on May 15-16th. A long-standing ICA member, leader and powerful mentor to chiropractors around the world, Dr. Murphy served as ICA Vice President for the past six years and has been an active leader, educator and spokesman for the ICA for several decades. “No one has ever brought more distinction to the ICA than Dr. Murphy,” said ICA’s 2008 Chiropractor of the Year Dr. Marshall Dickholtz who announced the award at a gala banquet on May 15th. more>>
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| GOOD POSTURE IS GOOD HEALTH: Celebrate Perfect Posture Month in May |
Perfect Posture Guide available to order--this attractive, informative brochure explains how poor posture can occur and describes sound lifestyle habits for improvement including chiropractic evaluation and care.
Perfect Posture Month is observed around the world each year in May, to help increase awareness about the importance of body alignment in overall health. The International Chiropractors Association encourages taking a closer look at personal posture habits to avoid the problems caused by bad posture, and make improvements. “Good posture is a day-by-day activity with a lifetime of rewards,” says Dr. John K. Maltby, President of the International Chiropractors Association. The cumulative effects of bad posture can interfere with the mobility of your joints and muscles, and impair the smooth operation of many body systems including lung capacity and nerve transmission, which will compromise your overall health.” The International Chiropractors Association lists different factors affecting posture and provides advice on lifestyle choices for improving your posture in its informative brochure, “Straighten Up and Stay Healthy” The long term effects of poor posture can affect bodily systems, but may be initially reflected in tight, achy muscles, progressive fatigue, and joint stiffness and pain. Poor posture can start with an accident or fall, but often is a natural outcome of common daily habits –including careless body positioning seated at the desk or in front of the TV. A lifetime of poor posture can begin with anything from occupational strain and repetitive stress to poor sleep support. Children, because they are growing, may be at even greater risk for postural problems. Adults often can trace their present problems to years of bad posture habits, injuries and other factors from their childhood.
How can you check your posture? When standing, the body’s structures should be balanced and aligned. When your body is aligned properly, you are less easily fatigued and tolerate exertion and stress. Slumped posture pushes the head forward, rounds the shoulders, and overarches the back, repeatedly resulting in stiffness, limited stamina and pain. Your doctor of chiropractic can help with postural evaluation in the course of a spinal checkup. How can you help your posture? When standing, hold your head up, with your shoulders comfortably back and your stomach tucked in. When sitting, use a chair with firm lower back support, keep your desk surface elbow high, and get up and stretch periodically throughout the day.
Along with important lifestyle changes to improve and support healthy posture, visit your doctor of chiropractic periodically for spinal checkups and care. Perfect Posture Month, and every month throughout the year, offer important opportunities to educate individuals and their families on the importance of healthy posture and chiropractic’s role in maintaining a healthy spine and nervous system.
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 The recent momentum surrounding review and constructive input to the ICA Best Practices and Practice Guidelines draft document is progressing to the next phase in the guidelines development process. Building on direct feedback from the field, this next process will involve analysis and incorporation of the comments and recommendations received to date. "Concluding this commentary phase brings a decisive and relevant level of input to the Guidelines development process," said Dr. Len Siskin, Vice Chair of the ICA Best Practices and Practice Guidelines Committee. "Direct input from doctors of chiropractic in active practice is the component that brings the Guidelines to life and ensures that they are anchored in the practical needs and realities of practice in conjunction with the extensively catalogued research record," said Dr. Siskin.
Any doctors of chiropractic who have not yet submitted comments may still access the draft document posted at the ICA Best Practices website and complete the 12-question survey to provide their input during this important process.
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The terms of ICA’s current President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer expire at the conclusion of ICA’s 2009 Annual Meeting scheduled for May 15 -16, 2009 in Washington, DC. ICA’s governing documents have established a candidate selection process to provide an initial slate of candidates, selected by the official ICA Nominating Committee. This committee is comprised of four members elected by ICA’s Representative Assembly and a chairperson appointed by the President. Those official candidates selected by the Nominating Committee on February 4, 2009 to stand for election in 2009 are: more» |
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 MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW to be a part of the most exciting weekend in Chiropractic! ICA’s blockbuster Fitness Symposium, scheduled for March 6-7, 2009, will again feature California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as the special highlight of the Symposium on Natural Fitness in Columbus, Ohio. For the 17th year this landmark chiropractic event will be held in conjunction with the Arnold Schwarzenegger Fitness Weekend and Sports Festival, the biggest fitness festival in the world with over 15,000 athletes competing in over 30 different sports competitions, many of which are conducted at the Olympic level. Additional updates on the program and faculty will be available in the weeks ahead along with registration and hotel details on the Symposium InfoSite, but MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW!
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 Two exceptional speakers, Dr. Sue Morter and Dr. Andrew Wakefield will headline ICA’s Super Conference on Pediatrics and the International Symposium on the Science, Art and Philosophy of Chiropractic, to be held December 12-14 in the Bahamas. Dr. Sue Morter will kick-off the proceedings on Friday morning with her unusual energy, enthusiasm and charisma that has opened hearts and inspired minds around the world. An international motivational speaker, development trainer, Bio-Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.S.T.) Master Instructor and CEO of a multi-doctor wellness center, Dr. Sue is committed to the mission of “improving the health of mankind worldwide.” A graduate of Logan College of Chiropractic, Dr. Sue teaches the concepts of energetic medicine which are central to her practice. She has been featured at universities radio, television and business conferences worldwide where she shares strategies and techniques to help people feel more vitality, passion and peace, along with greater physical health and well-being by accessing their true energetic nature. Dr. Sue will set the tone for the conference which is designed to teach, inspire and motivate. She will masterfully bring the audience through an introspective process of rediscovering their passion while moving them to greater understanding of how to make it flourish. more>>
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ICA Best Practices and Practice Guidelines
Review Deadline for Comments from Field Doctors Approaches:
Click Here and Provide Your Input!
The ICA Best Practices and Practice Guidelines (BP-PG) Committee is asking for your direct input with this important phase of the official review process: input from the field.
The BP-PG Guidelines offer an informative, constructive, evidence-based resource for practicing chiropractors -- founded on a comprehensive search of the research record and including the most current scientific data available. In order for this professional resource to be as accurate and useful as possible, it not only is developed to represent the spectrum of existing research (over 1,400 unique articles), it is committed to addressing the realities of clinical practice with respect to the chiropractic clinical evidence. Here is an exceptional opportunity to have a direct say in the development of authoritative chiropractic practice guidelines: feedback from you, as a practicing chiropractor in the field, will provide a significant contribution to this review and development process!
You can easily review the Best Practices and Practice Guidelines draft document through links from the ICA Home Page and can gain an overview of the content by reviewing the pertinent chapters listed on the Table of Contents material, then completing the 12 survey questions in the Best Practices Survey. Space is also provided in the Survey for offering any additional comments, observations, and suggestions you may have. This Survey process is open to the entire profession: please encourage your colleagues to respond to the survey questions by the September 30th submission deadline! |
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 The ICA Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics’ Annual Conference on Chiropractic & Pediatrics to be held December 12-14 at the Westin Lucaya Resort in the Grand Bahama Island is already off to a running start. Teaming up with the Council’s Conference this year is the ICA/FACTS International Symposium on the Science, Art and Philosophy of Chiropractic. A solid educational program with excellent speakers and a variety of topics, a fun Bahamian junkanoo beach party, commencement of the largest group of Diplomates in Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (DICCP) in the history of the profession, all at a beautiful beachfront resort in the Grand Bahama Island, promises to make the 2008 conference an exciting, enjoyable and memorable event. more>>
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 California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has stepped forward on behalf of sound public policy and acted in the best interests of the chiropractic profession and the public by vetoing the dangerous and disruptive Senate Bill 801. This legislation would have dramatically revised the way in which the chiropractic profession is regulated in the nation's largest state, and would have placed a measure on the June 2008 election ballot for consideration by statewide voters, with election costs funded by the state's chiropractic licensing fees. more» |
 For the sixteenth consecutive year, global superstar and now California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was the highlight of the Symposium on Natural Fitness organized by the International Chiropractors Association (ICA), held February 29-March 1, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. Each year, the chiropractic event is held in conjunction with the Arnold Schwarzenegger Fitness Weekend and Sports Festival, the biggest fitness festival in the world with over 15,000 athletes competing in over 30 different sports competitions, many of which are conducted at the Olympic level. more» |
 The Associazione Italiana Chiropratici (AIC) has announced that 17 years after the presentation of the first law proposal for professional recognition, on December 21, 2007, chiropractic was recognized by the Italian Parliament as a primary health care profession! For more than three decades, the AIC has led a determined struggle to secure this vitally important legal recognition for chiropractic, in the face of equally determine medical opposition. more» |
 
With a record number of chiropractors attending its first two years of wellness certification classes, the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) is proud to announce that this groundbreaking program will be offered in 2007 in Hartford., Connecticut, Costa Mesa/Orange County, California, and Chicago, Illinois. more» |
A national conference focusing on the future of chiropractic in the federal Medicare program will be hosted by the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) in Washington, DC on Thursday, April 24, 2008, with all organizations within the chiropractic profession invited to participate. The objectives of this day-long, Medicare forum will be to focus the attention of the chiropractic profession on this struggling but vital program, and foster a positive dialogue on how chiropractic’s vital role in Medicare can be strengthened. more»
Click here for Conference Flyer
Click here for Conference Registration Form
Click here for Medicare White Paper |
 He’ll be back! ICA’s Symposium on Natural Fitness for 2008 will once again include a personal presentation by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger! This is more than a seminar: featuring an array of exceptional educational sessions, the Symposium on Natural Fitness also offers exciting celebrity athlete appearances and a world-class sports festival! Don’t miss this special opportunity to gain practical, clinically relevant updates on case management for conditioning, injury prevention, and performance enhancement in sports and exercise with patients at all levels of athletic interest. Join us in Columbus, Ohio on February 29-March 2, 2008 for a fun, exciting and educational weekend. more» |
In the closing hours of the 2007 Congressional session, the US House of Representatives and the US Senate acted on the same day to suspend for six months the pending 10 percent Medicare physician fee cuts scheduled to go into effect on January 1st. On December 19th, both Houses of Congress voted to adopt S.2499, legislation that included the six-month suspension. more» |
ICA's Legislative Team has been closely monitoring the activities on the Floor of the US House of Representatives and we are pleased to report that HR 1470, Rep. Bob Filner's legislative initiative to provide program-wide chiropractic staffing at all US Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, passed the full US House of Representatives on May 23, 2007 more» |
The International Chiropractors Association's Board of Directors and Representative Assembly met on April 27-28, 2007 in Washington, DC for their scheduled 81st Annual Meeting. During those meetings, very careful consideration was given to all aspects of the demand issued by the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) for the merger of the ICA with the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Following these discussions, the combined ICA leadership unanimously adopted an official statement on this issue. more» |
For the past several years, the chiropractic profession has witnessed a growing trend on the part of some state chiropractic boards in which actions against practitioners are being taken on the basis of questions of utilization and procedure that have never been a part of board scrutiny. Today, apparently in response to pressure from third-party payment agencies, or some misplaced desire to re-define the norms of chiropractic practice, some boards have acted against practitioners for “over utilization,” x-ray policies and very general communications with the public. more» |
After four years, HIPAA remains a quiet reality, with health care providers obligated by this federal law to act to safeguard patient information, and with the potential for stringent penalties for failing to do so. In spite of the seeming stringency of the federal privacy rules, there have been few enforcement actions and the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seems committed to a continuing effort to educate and assist providers in becoming and staying compliant, rather than focusing on hard-line, uncompromising enforcement. This does not mean, however, that doctors of chiropractic, along with other health care providers, should let down their guard or fail to take the potential consequences seriously. more» |
On August 1, 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be making available the complete data base of health care providers who have applied for and obtained a unique national provider identifier number (NPI). That data base will include all submissions and amendments as of July 16, 2007. more» |
Former Member of Congress Barbara B. Kennelly, President & CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), presented the keynote address to the April 26 th Medicare Roundtable held in conjunction with the 2007 Chiropractic Coalition Legislative Day in Washington, DC. Mrs. Kennelly offered a unique overview of the status of Medicare and the prospects for the future, with a strong emphasis on the needs of the Medicare beneficiary. more» |
 Outspoken chiropractic ally and dedicated veterans' advocate Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) was clearly the highlight of the 2007 Legislative Day presentations. Mr. Filner spoke at length about his own personal more» |
 John K. Maltby, DC, FICA, of Blythe , California has been honored as the 2007 Chiropractor of the Year by the International Chiropractors Association (ICA). Dr. Maltby was presented the Association's highest honor at ICA 's 81st Annual Meeting in Washington , DC on April 28, 2007. This award, which was created by ICA 's Founder Dr. BJ Palmer in 1950, is presented annually to one exceptional individual who has distinguished themselves throughout their career through extraordinary service to the ICA and the chiropractic profession. more» |
 With the significant shift in the national political equation in the United States brought about by the election of Democratic majorities in both the US House and Senate, new opportunities may have opened up for the chiropractic profession in federal legislation. “Under the previous equation, where the White House and both Houses of Congress were in the hands of the same party, room for bargaining was very limited, especially since the Administration’s wishes on key issues tended to dominate most if not all legislative outcomes,” said Dr. Michael McLean, Co-Chair of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) Legislative Committee. “In the new Congress, we need to act swiftly to identify our goals and mobilize our allies to promote a sound and realistic legislative agenda for the profession,” said Dr. McLean. more» |
The 4 th Annual Chiropractic Coalition Legislative Day, held April 26, 2007 in Washington , DC , featured a host of national legislative and policy leaders including Members of Congress from both parties and national policy and advocacy leaders. This year's event was attended by doctors of chiropractic from 38 states and a host of students from 9 chiropractic colleges.more» |
| On September 29, 2006, the US House of Representatives passed the 2007 Defense Appropriations Act for 2007, HR 5122, containing a landmark mandate for the detailed study of the costs of making chiropractic care routinely available to all eligible active duty military personnel, as well as military dependants and retirees. The following day, the US Senate also passed the same bill, which is now public law 109-364.
“This is a tremendous milestone for the chiropractic profession,” said ICA Legislative Committee Co-Chairperson Dr Michael S. McLean, “because it not only calls for a complete costing out of a full implementation for chiropractic benefits for both active duty and TRICARE beneficiaries, it calls for the measurement of offsets to medical expenses saved by the application of chiropractic services. This is the first time in the history of the US government that such a chiropractic study has been directed to address the all-important cost off-set issue.” more» |
|  The US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to promote provider action on the National Provider Identifier (NPI), the standard unique health identifier health care providers will soon need to use in filing and processing health care claims and other transactions. The standard unique health identifier was mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HHS published the first announcement of the availability of the registration process in May, 2005. Despite pressures for a postponement of the deadline from a number of health care organizations, the deadline by which all providers and covered entities must be registered is still set for May 23, 2007. more»
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|  The presidents of three colleges that make up more than half of the student population in the United States –Dr. Gerry Clum (Life West), Dr. Carl Cleveland III (Cleveland Colleges, KC and LA) and Dr. Fabrizio Mancini (Parker)will open the proceedings of ICA’s first “Springtime in Washington” meeting to be held April 28-29 at the elegant Ritz Carlton Hotel in Pentagon City. more»
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|  The Chiropractic Coalition’s Legislative Day 2007 has been scheduled for Thursday, April 26th, with a host of key legislators on the agenda, along with an important Medicare Round Table at which senior Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) representatives will be present to answer individual doctors’ questions. The 2007 event will be held at the Executive Room at the Washington Court Hotel, conveniently located on the US Senate side of Capitol Hill at 525 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington D.C. Registration and continental breakfast open at 7:45 AM, with the day’s program kicking off at 8:45 AM with a detailed briefing on the Coalition’s 2007 legislative agenda and objectives. more»
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| Health policy analysts from the Schneider Institute for Health Policy at Brandies University in Waltham , Massachusetts have been retained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct an in-depth analysis of the current Medicare chiropractic demonstration project that began in April 2005. The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) has been contacted by this analysis group to assist in the collection of data on the project from the field practitioner's point of view. The analysts are also contacting other state and national organizations for similar input. This demonstration project was authorized by Congress in 2003 to, according to the CMS news release of November, 2004 to, “…evaluate the feasibility and desirability of covering additional chiropractic services under Medicare beyond the current coverage.” more» |
| The federal Medicare program, facing looming financial crisis, has sought to delay for a brief period the collapse that most objective analysts say is inevitable by cutting payment to certain providers, including doctors of chiropractic. Using complex formulas known as the Sustainable Growth Rate Formula (SGR) and the relative value units (RVUs), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to enact severe cuts in program reimbursements to chiropractors, approximately 5% under the SGR, which combined with the RVU formula reduction, represents an approximate 13% cut for chiropractic services effective January 1, 2007. more» |
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The Board of Directors of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) has called for the withdrawal of the current “Best Practices” document of The Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP) draft “Low Back” document.” At their meeting of July 11, 2006, the ICA Board adopted an emphatic position of opposition to this divisive and highly charged issue out of a strong sense of responsibility to the doctor in the field, and out of deep sense of concern over the methodological and procedural flaws in the CCGPP process. “In order to fulfill our responsibilities to our membership and to the future of the chiropractic profession, ICA’s Board of Directors had no choice but to act to oppose this latest CCGPP initiative,” President Dr. John K. Maltby.
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| The International Chiropractors Association has enthusiastically endorsed a new legislative initiative, The Small Employers Health Benefits Program Act, S.2510 , introduced on April 5, 2006 by Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln. This legislation would make important improvements in the small business and small group insurance market, without expanding the reach of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to exempt such small plans from insurance equality and consumer protection laws enacted by the states. more» |
| In a case that has major national implications for maintaining and enforcing the boundaries between chiropractic and physical therapy, the US Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal by the physical therapists in the case of Michael Teston vs. Arkansas Board of Chiropractic Examiners. In this case, a physical therapist in Arkansas was found to be performing "spinal manipulations," for which only chiropractors are licensed. After rigorous review by the Arkansas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the defendant was found to be in violation of the Chiropractic Practice Act. The Arkansas Chiropractic Board levied a "civil penalty" of $10,000 following the determination that the chiropractic code had been violated.>more |
 The highly controversial S.1955, legislation that united the chiropractic profession in a storm of opposition, has failed to move forward to a vote on the Senate floor, after being blocked by a procedural vote on May 11, 2006. Opposition to S.1955 has been the focus of ICA's legislative efforts for many weeks, and was the centerpiece of the Chiropractic Coalition's May 4, 2006 Annual Legislative Day, during which hundreds of DCs, students staff and family members aggressively lobbied against S.1955 in a dramatic face-to-face campaign. Every U.S. Senate office was visited by Chiropractic Coalition participants on May 4 th carrying chiropractic's determined message on this and other important legislative priorities. >more |
 Legislation is moving through the US Senate, S 1955, which would extend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act’s (ERISA) preemption to cover the small group insurance market now regulated at the state level. This legislation would have the effect of eliminating the protections now available to chiropractors and chiropractic patients provided by state-enacted insurance equality laws.>more |
  We are all deeply moved by the tragedy and continuing hardship inflicted on millions of people by Hurricane Katrina. Our hearts go out to those who have lost and suffered so much, and every effort is underway through the International Chiropractors Association to mobilize help, as well as support and encouragement to those whose needs can only be characterized as desperate. Offers of assistance have been pouring into the ICA headquarters from around the world, and I am personally awed by and very grateful for the generous, unhesitating desire to give and to serve that our members have expressed.>more, click here for the ICA Crisis Response Center |
 He’ll be back! The ICA 14th Annual Symposium on Natural Fitness again includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California, himself! The 2006 Symposium program brings you another dynamic, multi-faceted educational program, co-sponsored through Life Chiropractic College West, and features another series of star-packed, innovative programs held in conjunction with the Arnold Fitness Weekend and Competitions in the dynamic combination that has made it the highlight of the chiropractic calendar for over the past decade. Mark your calendars for March 3-5, 2006 and come to our gala Symposium program at The Columbus Hotel in Columbus, Ohio for a full and fantastic weekend of fitness stars, champion athletes, and innovative, practical continuing education offerings! For program registration and information details, visit the ICA Fitness Symposium InfoSite. >more |
 Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas, one of the fastest growing chiropractic educational institutions in the United States, has become a formal affiliate of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA). ICA’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to accept Parker’s application to become an affiliated college on June 28th, and enthusiastically welcomed Parker College into the official ICA community.
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 A report entitled Chiropractic Services in the Medicare Program: Payment Vulnerability Analysis , issued June 21, 2005 by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the US Department of Health and Human Services missed key points on Chiropractic cost effectiveness, according to ICA officials.
In response, ICA's Medicare Committee undertook a detailed analysis of this report and came to some very clear conclusions of its own regarding the OIG's motives. "The clear goal of the OIG and the historically anti-chiropractic bureaucrats that permeate HHS is to provide a rationale for a hard cap of chiropractic services, somewhere around 12 visits per year", said ICA Medicare Committee Chair Dr. Michael J. Hulsebus "This type of thinking reveals a prejudice that can only be described as ridiculous public policy, since if you cut off Medicare beneficiaries' access to needed chiropractic care with a hard cap, all you are dong is driving patients to the care of other providers, particularly medical specialists, the costs of which are massively higher than the cost of the care denied," Dr. Hulsebus stated.. >more |
 The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) has responded to an editorial that appeared on June 7, 2005, by Leon Jaroff entitled “Chiropractors v. Vaccination.” In this article, Mr. Jaroff, a regular contributor to TIME and longtime chiropractic critic, presented the orthodox medical position that “…vaccination has saved untold millions of lives,” but “Critics here charge that it is largely responsible for increases in such disorders as asthma, autism, juvenile diabetes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). That advice, unfortunately, is being dispensed to patients by chiropractors, far too many of them.” Mr. Jaroff goes on to say that, “Chiropractors are accustomed to, and generally ignore, such criticism from the medical profession. In fact, the International Chiropractors Association sells a book entitled Vaccination: 100 Years of Orthodox Research Shows that Vaccines Represent a Medical Assault on the Immune System.” >more
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 "The integration of chiropractic philosophy in chiropractic research” is the theme of the ICA Philosophy Council’s 2005 Annual Conference on Philosophical Chiropractic Standards to be held at the Renaissance Worthington Hotel in Forth Worth, Texas, November 11-13, 2005.
“The lack of philosophic input into our profession‘s research has led us into a model of “low back pain” treatment, “said Dr. Rob Sinnott, chair of the ICA Council on Chiropractic Philosophy. “The goal of this conference,” he added “is to provide a springboard toward enhancing the significance of the chiropractic adjustment to our profession as well as the public.” >more |
A highly offensive anti-chiropractic billboard that was unveiled on June 6, 2005 was covered up by the advertising company within 24-hours of the International Chiropractors Association’s (ICA) learning of its existence, following a storm of protest led by ICA leaders in that state.
Immediately brought to ICA’s attention by Connecticut ICA Assembly Representative Dr. Luigi DiRubba of Cheshire, Connecticut, a resounding protest effort was undertaken. ICA’s nationwide resources were mobilized, and a local protest, coordinated by Dr. DiRubba and ICA Board Member Dr. George Curry of Windsor, Connecticut, was focused on the advertising company that rented the billboard containing the offensive message. Following hundreds of calls from outraged doctors of chiropractic and chiropractic patients, in a wave of protest never before encountered by the advertising company, the message was covered over by mid-afternoon of the following day. >more |
| As part of the wide ranging program for the Chiropractic Coalition's April 14, 2005 Legislative Day in Washington , DC , Lt. Colonel Bernard Lambe spoke to participants about the history and status of chiropractic in the US military. Col. Lambe is the assistant to Admiral Richard A. Mayo, deputy director of Tricare Management Activity. >more |
| New Hampshire Congressman Jeb Bradley has introduced legislation that would establish a responsible, accessible and permanent chiropractic benefits program in the federal Tricare health system for military dependents and retirees. Tricare provides health care benefits for upwards of 8 million individuals. This vital legislation, HR 1594, entitled the “Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Retirees and Dependents Act,” was introduced on April 13, 2005, by Rep. Bradley and Massachusetts Congressman Marty Meehan, at the request of ICA and the Chiropractic Coalition. >more |
| Dr. Michael McLean, a longtime member of ICA's Board of Directors has been invited to sit on the Chiropractic Health Care Benefits Advisory Committee by the Department of Defense. >more |
| Following the many months of sometimes controversial policy development, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has announced the launch of the Congressionally mandated chiropractic services program. In a June 25th news release, the DVA reported that the agency will begin hiring or contracting with doctors of chiropractic to provide care, and that veterans in remote areas might have outpatient care authorized following a medical referral. "Limited to 26 sites, the inaugural in-facility program will begin in the "fall" of this year," said ICA Board Member Dr. Michael S. McLean, who also served on the Chiropractic Veterans Advisory Committee created by Congress to advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the new program. >more |
| The Board of Directors of the International Chiropractors Association has urged a halt to the PACE program being promoted by the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) for the regulation of chiropractic relicensure education. During their Annual Meeting held in Washington, DC, April 30th – May 1st, the ICA Board adopted a formal resolution of opposition to the PACE initiative. ICA urges all chiropractic state examining boards, state chiropractic organizations, colleges and continuing education providers to join in the effort to have PACE withdrawn by the FCLB, and not participate should the PACE program continue forward. >more |
| The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) has filed an extensive "Amicus Curie" or friend of the court brief in a landmark case in Arkansas that has significant potential to halt the efforts of the physical therapy profession to expand into chiropractic's unique territory. ICA's brief in the case of Teston vs. Arkansas Board of Chiropractic was filed on September 14, 2004. In this case, a physical therapist in Arkansas was found to be performing "spinal manipulations," for which only chiropractors are licensed. After rigorous review by the Arkansas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the defendant was found to be in violation of the Chiropractic Practice Act. The Arkansas Chiropractic Board levied a "civil penalty" of $10,000 following the determination that the chiropractic code had been violated. The PT appealed the decision to the Arkansas Supreme Court, and the ICA stepped up to prepare and file its Amicus Curiae brief in support of the Chiropractic Board's decision. >more |
| ICA's newly chartered Council on Wellness Science will launch its innovative postgraduate certification program in chiropractic and wellness starting October 24-25, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois. Co-sponsored by Life Chiropractic College West, this uniquely practical research and science-based program offers practitioners a powerful exploration of prevention, wellness and chiropractic's role in this vitally important dimension of health and healing. "This is, without any doubt, chiropractic's most exciting new frontier because it addresses head on the most vital and compelling health issues of our era," said ICA President Dr. CJ Mertz. "Organized by Dr. James Chestnut, this new program is anchored in chiropractic's neurological focus, but takes our understanding of the global impact of the nervous system to an all new level, fully based and referenced in the research record." >more |
| For the 12th consecutive year, global superstar and chiropractic supporter and now Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger was the featured speaker at ICA's Symposium on Natural Fitness held March 5-6, 2004 in Columbus, Ohio. >more |
| The re-appearance of a news report on WNBC New York, based on a thoroughly discredited article that appeared months ago in the medical journal Neurology, has raised serious questions about the motives of the broadcast agency carrying the story. Entitled "Study: Chiropractic Adjustments May Increase Risk Of Stroke," the piece appeared on November 6, 2003. Presented by the station's "health" reporter David Marks, MD, the issue of chiropractic safety was once again raised, but offered no additional evidence, no credible data and no new perspective, other than the opinion of a medical neurologist, whose experience on the issue of chiropractic procedures is completely unknown. >more |
| The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that would authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to employ doctors of chiropractic as career professionals. H.R. 2357, a bill to, "To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the appointment of chiropractors in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs," passed the House on July 22nd. Under present law the DVA only has authority to employ DCs on a temporary basis. >more |
The International Chiropractors Association has joined the Chiropractic Coalition in enthusiastically endorsing legislation crafted by Illinois Representative Don Manzullo that would significantly enhance the status of the doctor of chiropractic and chiropractic patient in the federal Medicare program. HR 2560, the "Chiropractic Medicare Freedom and Benefit Protection Act" would set up a separate doctor level category for doctors of chiropractic, making chiropractic services uniquely theirs. No longer would an MD, DO, or physical therapist be able to provide or receive reimbursement for subluxation correction services. According to the bill's author, the bill will "not only reshape the definition of chiropractic in federal policy...it will blow the lid off the definition of chiropractic in federal policy... We will make it clear once and for all that chiropractic is equal -but unique."
> news release | bill text
> model letters: patient / doctor |
| Working with his own Member of Congress, Dr. Michael S. McLean of Virginia Beach, Virginia, ICA Board Member and Chair of ICA's 2001-2003 Legislative Committee, has secured the inclusion of an important new chiropractic provision in H.R 1588, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. In close cooperation with 2nd District Virginia Congressman Ed Schrock, Dr. McLean had worked for more than a year on a provision that would have extended chiropractic benefits to military dependents and retirees through the federal TRICARE program. In extensive negotiations with senior House leaders, Dr. McLean and Mr. Schrock were informed that the House Armed Services Committee would not act on any TRICARE initiative for chiropractic in the current year because of extremely limited funds, but would agree to a major enhancement in the already passed chiropractic program for active duty military personnel. >more |
| Working with his own Member of Congress, Dr. Michael S. McLean of Virginia Beach, Virginia, ICA Board Member and Chair of ICA's 2001-2003 Legislative Committee, has secured the inclusion of an important new chiropractic provision in H.R 1588, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. In close cooperation with 2nd District Virginia Congressman Ed Schrock, Dr. McLean had worked for more than a year on a provision that would have extended chiropractic benefits to military dependents and retirees through the federal TRICARE program. In extensive negotiations with senior House leaders, Dr. McLean and Mr. Schrock were informed that the House Armed Services Committee would not act on any TRICARE initiative for chiropractic in the current year because of extremely limited funds, but would agree to a major enhancement in the already passed chiropractic program for active duty military personnel. >more |
| The Board of Directors of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) has issued a call for a serious profession wide dialogue on the challenges and needs of chiropractic education, in light of the current intense controversy surrounding the educational accreditation process. During their Mid-Year Board meeting on February 25, 2003, the ICA Board adopted a statement that expressed concern over the state of chiropractic accreditation and called for a national dialogue on how this process might be improved. This resolution is meant to voice the concerns of the many thousands of individual doctors of chiropractic and the dozens of chiropractic organizations that have contacted the ICA regarding the nature and direction of the operations of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). >more |
| ICA representatives were present for the entire proceedings of the third meeting of the Chiropractic Veterans Advisory Committee held over a two-day period in Washington, D.C. on March 25-26, 2003. The Committee continued its congressionally mandated mission of developing recommendations for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the implementation of a permanent chiropractic benefit for veterans. This session addressed a number of key issues such as scope of practice, core chiropractic privileges in VA facilities and the vitally important matter of direct access to chiropractic care. ICA Board Member Dr. Michael S. McLean who serves on the Committee, reported that he felt that the direction of Committee deliberations was quite positive and despite the need to continuously work to establish a better understanding of the potential role of chiropractic in the DVA system on the part of the non-chiropractic members, there is every reason for optimism on the eventual Committee recommendations. ICA's statement to the DVA |
| The International Chiropractors Association has agreed to assist two key federal agencies in alerting the chiropractic profession and the public to a new campaign on the dangers of prescription drugs. Prompted by a massive federal study that reveals the extent of the dangers, this public education campaign uses stark graphics and emphatic warnings of the lethal risks of prescription drug misuse, and is aimed at young people ages 14 to 25. >more | SAMHSA site |
The International Chiropractors Association has aggressively joined the campaign to repeal a new and immensely controversial federal law that shields pharmaceutical companies from liability from injuries caused by the application of certain vaccines in the United States. The provisions were anonymously inserted in the homeland security legislation that passed in the closing hours of the 107th Congress, over the strenuous objections of concerned legislators from both parties. ICA has recently contacted every Member of the U.S. House and Senate urging their support for legislation that would repeal these provisions and restore consumer rights and protections inherent in basic American freedoms. >more
Quick Links:
Position Statements: Dan Burton | Debbie Stabenow
Bill Text: S-105 | HR 237
Model Letters: US House | US Senate
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| The ICA and its Council on Fitness and Sports Health Science once again presents its dynamic Symposium on Natural Fitness in Columbus, Ohio in conjunction with the Arnold Schwarzenegger Fitness Weekend and Expo. ICA's 11th Annual Symposium on Natural Fitness with Arnold Schwarzenegger will feature the same kind of exciting, star-packed, innovative program in conjunction with Arnold's Fitness Weekend that has made it the highlight of the chiropractic calendar for the past decade. Mark your calendars for February 28 and March 1-2, 2003 and come to Columbus, Ohio for a fantastic weekend of fitness stars, champion athletes, and innovative, practical chiropractic continuing education! REGISTER NOW TO GUARANTEE YOUR PLACE AT THIS TREMENDOUS EVENT! |
| >more | also see: Peds Council raises more than $11,000 for Special Needs Kids |
ICA has written a strong letter of protest and has asked for a meeting with the editorial board of The Wall Street Journal in response to another strongly biased and damaging article about chiropractic that appeared in the November 19th edition of that publication. Over the past years, the publication has carried damaging articles about chiropractic often timed to appear at key moments in the legislative calendar and at other times that appear to be calculated to undercut chiropractic efforts in the public policy process or in the court of public opinion. Echoing standard anti-chiropractic themes, this article once again cites exaggerated risks, describes chiropractic procedures as "scientifically unproven," and states without qualification that, "many...are leery of chiropractic, viewing it as quackery".
>more | text of letter |
| In a special meeting of ICA's Board of Directors on November 12, 2002, the goal of passage of H.R. 3273, The Consolidation Student Loan Flexibility Act of 2001, was put on ICA's Congressional priority list. This legislation seeks to provide graduate doctors of all professions, including chiropractors, with greater flexibility when consolidating student loans. If passed, the legislation will repeal the "Single Holder Rule" provision in the Higher Education Act of 1965 that requires loan borrowers to refinance through their current lender when all of their loans are borrowed through a single lender. >more |
| After months of waiting, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has finally named the members of the congressionally mandated Chiropractic Advisory Committee. Included in this roster is ICA Board Member and private practitioner Dr. Michael S. McLean of Virginia Beach, Virginia. >more |
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