DENVER, Colorado - The American Chiropractic Association's 37th annual meeting in this mile-high capital, September 7-10, saw the ratification of a resolution by the house of delegates in favor of professional unity. The resolution invited the ICA to join the ACA in forming a "Unity Committee" to develop a merger proposal. The resolution reads;
"WHEREAS,national unity is in the best interest of the chiropractic profession, and
"WHEREAS, there is no rational basis for continuing to have two national associations, and
"WHEREAS, it is past time for the chiropractic profession to stop wasting its limited resources on the unnecessary duplication of services, and
"WHEREAS, the overwhelming majority of members of the chiropractic profession are strongly in favor of national unity, and
"WHEREAS, the official policies of both the ACA and the ICA are essentially identical, and
"WHEREAS, both the ACA and the ICA have endorsed the 1996 Position Statements of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges that could be used as the foundation for national unity, and
"WHEREAS, the ACA House of Delegates formally approved a merger of the ACA and the ICA in the past, be it therefore
"RESOLVED, the American Chiropractic Association reaffirms its policy in favor of professional unity and invites the International Chiropractors Association to join the ACA in forming a 'Unity Committee' that will be charged with the responsibility of developing a merger proposal that will be presented to both organizations for formal adoption at the earliest possible time."
(See "It Doesn't Make Any Sense" by Garrett Cuneo,HCD, also in this issue for a more in-depth look at chiropractic unity.)
The delegates also reaffirmed the ACA's subluxation-based, nondrug policy. In a related resolution, the ACA voiced its concerns of the use of the phrase "chiropractic medicine," an oxymoron that is creeping into legislative language in some states. This trend has, for instance, produced the change of the name of the Florida chiropractic board to the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine. The ACA warned of the confusion for the public that this phrase engenders. The association is resolved to keep the phrase out of any of its communications, and to clarify to legislators that chiropractors do not treat with drugs.
Other highlights of the convention included the election of officers; annual awards; a keynote address by Robert Hirshon, president-elect of the American Bar Association; and an update on ACA's lawsuit against Trigon Blue Cross/Blue Shield by the association's general counsel, George McAndrews.
Election of Officers
ACA leaders re-elected:
The ACA presented its three most prestigious awards:
Chiropractor of the Year - Dr. Kenneth Padgett. Dr. Padgett's award was in recognition of his exceptional service, achievement, and leadership. Former recipients include Drs. Joseph Janse, William Bromley, Edwin Kenrick, Louis Sportelli and Jerilyn Kaibel.
Dr. Padgett, who retired as president of the New York Chiropractic College in September, is the chancellor of the college and president of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges. He served two terms as ACA president and as the ACA's New York delegate to its legislative committee. He was president of the New York Chiropractic Association for two years, and served 10 years on the New York Board of Chiropractic.
Humanitarians of the Year
Robert Hirshon, president-elect of the American Bar Association (ABA), gave the keynote address before the ACA Council of Delegates. Mr. Hirshon discussed the need for managed care reform and restoring the balance of power in health care. The ABA, he noted, is "pressing for enactment by Congress of effective accountability provisions for managed care in a Patients' Bill of Rights."
ACA General Counsel George McAndrews updated the delegates on the ACA's lawsuit against Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield. The Virginia Chiropractic Association, five DCs, and 18 chiropractic patients filed suit in U.S. District Court against Trigon, Virginia's largest managed care company, and the BCBS Association. The plaintiffs allege racketeering, extortion, mail fraud and antitrust violations, and are calling for an end to discrimination against the chiropractic profession and parity among health care providers.
Tour of the New Chiropractic College
During the convention, the ACA leaders toured the profession's newest college, the Colorado College of Chiropractic, part of the Marycrest International University in Denver. This fall, the college welcomes its first class - six students in all.
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
