* member of the executive committee
SAN ANTONIO - The 36th annual business meeting of the American Chiropractic Association's House of Delegates (HOD), held August 25-28, saw the election of James Mertz,DC,DACBR, as president and Dr. Daryl Wills as vice president, and the passing of several resolutions that the ACA expects to impact the profession in the coming years. (For the list of ACA officers, please see above.)
Dr. Mertz, who reported a $6.5 million ACA budget and a staff of 40 full-time employees, promised to "listen to and act on our members' concerns."
The resolutions addressed by the HOD included a policy statement defining spinal manipulation/adjustment that recommends developing a research program to enhance future studies of spinal manipulation. The resolution also outlines a policy to making the medical profession aware of the benefits of chiropractic care and to educate consumers and policymakers on the quality and safety of chiropractic care.
There was a resolution passed by the HOD to continue membership in the World Federation of Chiropractic, and resolutions passed on managed care and conflict of interest; domestic violence; and nonhealth-related products in doctors' offices.
The conflict of interest resolution bars ACA elected officials from using their positions or lending their names in advertisements that could conflict with the mission, goals and objectives of the ACA. The policy was developed in part by the introduction of "any willing provider" legislation and the possibility that some elected officers could have a close affiliation with (or hold employed or appointed positions in) managed care organizations.
Research on Chiropractic for Chronic Care
Because of the profession's growing concern that third-party payers are refusing to reimburse DCs for the treatment of chronic conditions, the HOD has called on the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) to develop a study of the existing scientific literature supporting chiropractic for chronic conditions.
"There is so much evidence out there that doctors of chiropractic can successfully treat patients with chronic conditions - and we can do it less expensively and more safely than medical doctors," explained Dr. Mertz. "With FCER's help, we can arm ourselves with the facts that will convince the managed care industry our services are not only an appropriate choice for chronic conditions, but the most appropriate choice."
Relationship with American Red Cross
The HOD also gave its nod to a new relationship between the American Red Cross and the ACA in which doctors of chiropractic will be sent to disaster sites to provide first-aid services to victims and other volunteers.
Volunteering DCs will not provide chiropractic services, as that is not within the scope of the Red Cross disaster relief program. However, DCs can perform basic first aid or triage services to victims and volunteers. An oversight committee will be established to help build the infrastructure for the Red Cross program and solicit volunteers.
Sale of Nonhealth-Related Products
The HOD also approved a resolution advising doctors to refrain from selling nonhealth-related goods from their offices. The only exceptions are nonhealth-related goods sold for community or charitable organizations.
Honors
Dr. Arnold Cianciulli of Bayonne, New Jersey received the ACA's highest honorary award: "Chiropractor of the Year." A practicing doctor of chiropractic for more than 30 years, Dr. Cianciulli has served as a member of the ACA's House of Delegates and its board of governors.
DC readers know Dr. Cianciulli as a former columnist who still makes contributions to our publication.
Dr. Cianciulli called receiving the award "a great honor" and stressed the importance of allowing patients more access to chiropractic treatment. "I am convinced that a renewal of our passion for removing barriers for patients to access chiropractic care is the most important issue the profession must engage," said Dr. Cianciulli.
Mr. Tom Daly was honored as the association's "Humanitarian of the Year." Mr. Daly has served as ACA legal counsel since 1982 and is currently advising the association in their lawsuit against the Health Care Financing Administration.
"I am proud to receive the humanitarian of the year award from the ACA," said Daly. "In all of my years as legal counsel for the ACA, this year marks one of particular significance because of the events associated with ACA's lawsuit against HCFA. I am grateful and honored to be a part of the successes that are happening within the ACA."
New Membership Campaign
The HOD approved a new membership campaign that includes a comprehensive member sponsorship program and a series of targeted direct mail pieces to nonmember doctors of chiropractic. Phase one of the campaign officially begins in October.
Next Meeting in March
In addition to the regular annual meeting next summer, the ACA House of Delegates will meet next spring in conjunction with the National Chiropractic Legislative Conference (NCLC) in Washington, D.C. The meeting will be held March 3-4 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill.
"The ACA is not just paying lip service to the profession when we say we are renewing our commitment to our members and getting serious about issues that are near and dear to the hearts of doctors of chiropractic across the country," said Dr. Mertz. "This renewed commitment will take extra work, and our House of Delegates will meet once again in just six short months to roll up our sleeves and get busy on the new issues that the millennium will bring."
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?
