Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher
For too many years, the American Medical Association (AMA) did its best to "contain and eliminate" the chiropractic profession. After a 14-year lawsuit, they have learned their lesson: Next time don't get caught.
Now, I am not one to jump to conspiracy conclusions. But the last few published attacks on chiropractic pediatric care have been too well timed, with no missed opportunities. Every single presentation has been coordinated to influence the health care reform process.
Prior to the "20/20" segment, one could have entertained the possibility of coincidence. But the program just happened to be scheduled at the end of the first full week that the U.S. Congress began its deliberations on national health care reform. How convenient.
The strategy is fairly simple. Use a highly emotional issue (pediatric health care) to put doubt in the minds of legislators and the public. Try to establish the notion that chiropractors are evil health care profiteers who would risk the well-being of an innocent child just to make money. Someone (MDs) must control these mad dogs (DCs). Besides, even if all this is proven to be another conspiracy, health care reform will be well established long before the courts can conclude another lawsuit.
Now for a taste of reality: The benefits of chiropractic care are being demonstrated in research on an ever-increasing basis. In 1993, the United States government allocated almost $3 million to research and demonstration projects on chiropractic. The Canadian government allocated another $1 million. Because of the number of parents who include chiropractic as part of their children's health care, there is actually the possibility that the next generation won't carry the anti-chiropractic prejudice that the AMA has worked so hard to inflict on this generation.
It's time to do something. It's time for this profession to open the public relations window and yell, "We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it any more!"
We have millions of allies in the public. Our patients are willing to carry the message. We need to counterattack on multiple fronts.
No, we aren't perfectly unified, but we can still fight together like different units of the same army. This will require every available chiropractic association.
The battle won't last very long. Most believe that health reform will be substantially decided by the end of 1995 (our Chiropractic Centennial). What a way to end our first 100 years, beating the AMA in the highest court in the land: public opinion.
For the next 24 months, you will need to support your national association(s) as much as you can. Both the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) and the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), along with the Chiropractic Centennial Foundation (CCF), have plans for major public relations campaigns.
Our adversaries have drawn first blood. It is now up to us. How the chiropractic profession responds will dictate their next move. If we roll over and play dead, we will be buried alive.
But if this profession, through its various associations, delivers a major media blow for health care freedom of choice and the importance of chiropractic care for every person, our adversaries will be forced to deal with chiropractors as part of the health care team as established by national reform.
We must teach the world that another conspiracy to eliminate the chiropractic profession will not be tolerated.
DMP Jr., BS, HCD(hc)
