Chiropractor Peter Ferguson of Canton, Ohio has accepted the invitation of Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala to join the 21-member Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages. The purpose of the committee is to:
- "provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary concerning policy and program development and other matters of significance...
- "prepare and submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report describing the activities of the Advisory Committee..."
Dr. Ferguson's term is for two years. Subsequent terms of committee members are for three years. During his appointment, the committee will meet six times and present two reports.
The meetings are open to the public, unless deemed otherwise by Secretary Shalala. The appointees receive compensation, including travel time, for each day that they are engaged in the performance of their duties on the advisory committee. The management and staff for the committee will be provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Peter Ferguson's name should be familiar to you. He was just elected president and at-large director of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (see "NBCE Embraces Change," DC, May 29, 2000). You may also recall that Dr. Ferguson won the 1998 Democratic nomination for the United States House of Representatives in Ohio's 16th District. Dr. Ferguson was defeated by incumbent Republican Ralph Regula in the November election (see http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/16/25/08.html).
Dr. Ferguson is clearly an active chiropractic leader who has earned this appointment to the advisory committee. As a member of the committee, Dr. Ferguson gives chiropractic a voice in health care policymaking at the federal level. No, his position isn't going to herald profound changes for the profession, but his appointment is indicative of HHS' commitment to a "fair balance among the health professions."1
Reference:
1. Charter: Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages.
Secretary of Health and Human Services. Washington, D.C.
