In a landmark development, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has reached a $2.8 billion settlement to resolve antitrust claims brought by health care providers, including chiropractors. The lawsuit accused BCBS of dividing the nation into exclusive regions and limiting competition, which resulted in lower reimbursements for providers. Although BCBS denies any wrongdoing, the company agreed to the settlement to avoid lengthy litigation – and you can get a piece of the pie.
Dr. Ferguson Named to National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Peter Ferguson,DC, a member of the Department of Defense's Chiropractic Health Care Demonstration Oversight Advisory Committee and a past president of the Ohio State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, has been named an at-large director to the board of directors of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). Dr. Ferguson takes the director-at-large position vacated by the death of Dr. Louis Latimer. Dr. Latimer was also the NBCE president (see our April 5th, 1999 issue).
"Dr. Ferguson was selected for his broad experience with both state and national chiropractic organizations, from the educational sector to the licensing and regulatory sector," explained Paul Tullio,DC, president of the NBCE. "The NBCE Board and staff are delighted to have a true leader in the profession for this organization," he added.
Dr. Ferguson captured national attention last year when he ran on the Democratic ticket in Ohio for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He captured a respectable 36% of the vote.
A 1968 graduate of National College of Chiropractic, Dr. Ferguson received the "Outstanding Achievement" award from the Ohio State Chiropractic Association in 1991.
The NBCE (established in 1963) is headquartered in Greeley, Colorado. The NBCE is the agency that develops and administers the national chiropractic examinations. The NBCE board is comprised of five district directors (elected by their districts), four directors-at-large, and two appointees from the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards. The current NBCE Board members are:
Frank Hideg,DC
Chairman, District II Director
Paul Tullio,DC
President, Director-at-Large
Vincent Greco,DC
Vice President, District III Director
John Tierney,DC
Treasurer, District V Director
James Badge,DC
District IV Director
Jerry Blanchard,DC
District I Director
David Brown,DC
FCLB President
Wayne Wolfson,DC
FCLB Vice President
Titus Plomaritis,DC
Director-at-Large
Lawrence Gerstein,DC
Director-at-Large
(immediate past president of the FCLB)
Peter Ferguson,DC
Director-at-Large