What's the News from the Chiropractic State Associations?

Mario Spoto, DC, of the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Society, will serve a second term as Congress president. This year's Congress brought together representatives of 45 state associations, chiropractic's greatest unifying gathering.

ORLANDO, Florida -- The ability of different organizations to work together for the common good of the entire profession is best demonstrated each year at the meeting of the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (Congress).

The main purpose of the Congress' annual meeting is for the chiropractic state associations (45 in attendance this year) to share their successes, and discuss problems and solutions to their own unique problems.

While it is too lengthy to list all of the recent accomplishments of each of the 45 chiropractic state associations, this is a sampling of some of the noteworthy accomplishments presented at this year's annual meeting: 

Alabama Chiropractic Association

• Currently litigating any willing provider legislation

   

• Has a well defined education program to target decision-makers

Arizona Association of Chiropractic

• Formed coalitions with other provider groups

   

• Established an interdisciplinary health care forum at its annual convention

   

• Holds a work shop with members and nonmembers to brainstorm ideas

   

• Holds district luncheons with legislators and an annual legislative luncheon

Arkansas Chiropractic Association

• Passed any willing provider legislation

   

• Organized a workers' compensation PPO and a statewide PR campaign

California Chiropractic Association

• Established a 800 number doctor "Hotline" staffed by former CAs to answer managed care questions

   

• Sponsored a health care forum of prominent panelists to elicit consumer opinions on managed care issues

   

• Sponsored and passed a "continuity of care" bill

   

• Has begun to "limit" exhibitor space

Colorado Chiropractic Association

• Distributed copies of the book, Managed Care and Chiropractic, to all association members at no cost

   

• Has a court decision that states that there is no doctor patient relationship created when an IME is conducted

   

• Developed 12 in-office promotions

   

• Developed a book display for local libraries

   

• Distributes educational materials to legislators on a regular basis

Connecticut Chiropractic Association

• Formed coalitions with other provider groups

   

• Educates its members on the pros and cons of managed care programs

   

• Organized the chiropractic workers' compensation symposium to educate workers' compensation commissioners

Florida Chiropractic Association

• Formed coalitions with other provider groups

   

• Created Preferred Chiropractic Physicians Inc., a non-profit PPO

   

• Removed 50 discriminatory areas in "clean up" bills

   

• Annually advertises on T.V.

Indiana State Chiropractic Association

• Offers guidance on HMO contracts

Kansas Chiropractic Association

• Developed and distributed numerous copies of educational videos

Chiropractic Association of Louisiana

• Formed an association related PPO

Maryland Chiropractic Association

• Obtained access within small business health care reform bill

   

• Dealt successfully with physical therapy and manipulation issue

Massachusetts Chiropractic Society

• Uses a multidisciplinary panel to review workers' compensation cases

   

• Assisted in the implementation of a provider and patient complaint system regarding unreasonable utilization review practices

   

• Established reasonable chiropractic utilization guidelines for workers' compensation

   

• Honors chiropractic "pioneers"

   

• Uses radio to advertise

Michigan Chiropractic Council

• Formed an association related PPO

   

• Created the Chiropractic Information Bureau to handle public educational issues

Missouri State Chiropractors Association

• Formed coalitions with other provider groups

   

• Researched the feasibility of formulating a state affiliated PPO and rejected the idea

Montana Chiropractic Association

• State now requires four year degree to practice

   

• Increase CA participation

   

• Has a well defined education program to target decision-makers

   

• Produces brochures free of charge for doctors to give to patients

New Hampshire Straight Chiropractic Society

• Implemented a strategic plan to educate decision-makers

New York Chiropractic Council

• Endorsed America's PPO connection, and active in Solla anti-trust case

   

• Holds interprofessional forums and receives exposure from the New York Times

New York State Chiropractic Association

• Formed coalitions with other provider groups

   

• Joined with the New Jersey Chiropractic Society to produce public relations programs

North Dakota Chiropractic Association

• Forming a state-wide PPO

   

• Developing a state-wide marketing program

Ohio State Chiropractic Association

• Formed coalitions with other provider groups

   

• Involved all stakeholders (providers, unions, government, and employers) in implementing managed care within the workers' compensation

Oklahoma State Chiropractic Association

• Passed an insurance equality law with the assistance of Blue Cross/Blue Shield

Pennsylvania Chiropractic Society

• Worked with Blue Cross/Blue Shield on mammography program

Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island

• Formed coalitions with other provider groups

   

• Provided more flexible times for doctors to attend license renewal programs

Texas Chiropractic Association

• Hired a public relations consultant

West Virginia Chiropractic Society

• Formed coalitions with other provider groups

   

• Established treatment guidelines for workers' compensation

Wisconsin Chiropractic Association

• Educates its members on the financial risks of managed care contracts

   

• Proposed legislation dealing with IME abuse; interdisciplinary provider corporations; and limitations on the term "physical therapy"

   

• Programs brought in over $500,000 in non-dues revenue

The Congress truly represents the full spectrum of the chiropractic profession. The ability of this organization to bring together chiropractic state associations with widely varying philosophical orientations is refreshing.

Election of Congress Officers

President: Mario Spoto, DC -- Pennsylvania Chiropractic Society

1st Vice President: Leonard Suiter, DC -- Missouri State Chiropractic Association

2nd Vice President: Rollie Dickinson, DC -- Arkansas Chiropractic Association

Secretary: Dale I. Cohen, DC -- New York State Chiropractic Association

Treasurer: Thomas M. Klapp, DC -- Michigan Chiropractic Counsel

Immediate Past President: Rick A. McMichael, DC -- Ohio State Chiropractic Association

Congress Board of Directors

District 1 Director: C. Kevin Donovan, DC -- Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island

District 2 Director: Robert Poteete, DC -- Ohio State Chiropractic Association

District 3 Director: Janet Jordan -- South Carolina Chiropractic Association

District 4 Director: Fran Corner, DC -- North Dakota Chiropractic Association

District 5 Director: Craig Little, DC -- California Chiropractic Association