LAS VEGAS -- While district delegates of the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) engaged in spirited but friendly battle over bylaw changes on Saturday evening Nov. 5 at the Aladdin Hotel, a fight of a ruder sort was about to begin just down the strip: Forman vs. Moorer.
While Moorer was thumping Forman, the chiropractic delegates engaged in the more civilized and democratic pursuit of electing officers. Mario Spoto, DC, was elected COCSA president, following the able management of now immediate past president Rick McMichael, DC (Ohio). Mario (a.k.a. Jay Leno) had provided some welcomed comic relief from conference business early in the day as master of ceremonies at the award's banquet sponsored by Foot Levelers. Other officers elected included: Dr. Len Suiter (Missouri) first vp; Dr. Rollie Dickinson (Arizona) second vp; Kathy Chittom (Louisiana) retained her position as treasurer; and Dr. Jeffrey Wilder (Wisconsin) secretary. District directors elected were Dr. Dale Cohen (NY); Dr. Tom Klapp (MI); Dr. Janet Jordan (SC); Dr. Francis Corner (ND); and Dr. Craig Little (CA).
Following the elections, the COCSA delegates adjourned to a reception sponsored by the ACA. While the delegates were schmoozing, Forman "hit" Moorer with a combination that put him on his back. (Frankly the reception punch was stronger). The reception however allowed the attendees to discuss and reflect on the many panels and speakers that had made this COCSA meeting such a success:
Mr. Russell Coile Jr., a prognosticator of health care trends, explained why national health care reform failed: Mr. Coile observed that the Clinton administration never got a consensus on what the American people really wanted; that the "numbers" were always suspect; that Hillary had no background in getting anything through Congress; and that the health care reform team lacked a leadership cadre. He predicted that the next Congress will be dominated by welfare reform, and that legislation of Medicaid will be the only health reform passed. Mr. Coile's crystal ball said that capitation is the vehicle that will transform health care delivery.
John Triano, DC, MA, staff physician at the the Texas Back Institute and clinical scientist at the TBI Research Foundation, presented an intriguing look at how the 23-member guideline's panel of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research went about compiling guidelines for acute low back pain (DCs Triano and Scott Haldeman represented the chiropractic profession on the guideline's panel). The panel's literature review whittled down an initial 14,000 references to a mere 356, with only controlled studies getting the nod of approval.
The report from the AHCPR is due out on December 8, 1994. Acute low back pain was selected by the panel because it represents the most prominent problem area. Future guideline panels will set standards for neck pain, headaches, and musculoskeletal complaints. Dr. Triano urged chiropractors in the strongest terms to accept the AHCPR guidelines: "If the profession embraces these guidelines, they'll have an ally in the federal government."
The ICA/ACA panel on health care reform commented on chiropractic's lobbying impact in Washington. Richard Miller, ACA vp of government relations, noted that two years ago the profession "wasn't on the radar screen" in being a lobbying factor at the federal level; that this year, for the first time, "we were a player in the health care reform debate."
The ICA's man in Washington, Ron Hendrickson, told the delegates that he was not optimistic for any changes to ERISA legislation in Congress for "three years plus"; that the status quo will prevail on ERISA because of the powerful influence of insurance companies.
Marion McGregor, DC, MSc, associate professor at National College, told the attendees how to scrutinize the research literature, to separate opinion from fact in published research, and the necessity to always look at the original research and not rely on texts for research information.
Chicago Sun-Times reporter Howard Wolinsky, co-author of the Serpent on the Staff, gave the assembly some insights on the inner workings of the AMA that has made his book such a success (see July 15, 1994 issue of "DC").
Bylaw Changes -- And Down for the Count
While Moorer was getting the 10-count, the delegates passed by majority vote a significant bylaw change: an official state chiropractic organization chartered or incorporated at least two years may petition the board to become members of the Congress. The petitioning state organization must: hold regularly scheduled elections at least once every three years; maintain a membership of 100 state licensed chiropractic members, or at lease 20 percent of the state's DCs (whichever is less).
A Busy and Productive Congress
The COCSA delegates worked overtime to glean valuable information for their association's back home. Talks were presented on running successful board meetings; maximizing the efforts of volunteer leaders; turning member apathy into action; developing a successful charitable foundation; prospects for a COCSA electronic bulletin board system; challenges facing the small associations; marketing the state association; and managed care. The delegates were also able to ask a panel of attorneys legal questions and network in numerous roundtables.
Viva Las Vegas
With all this bevy of activity, you might wonder if anyone attending the Vegas COCSA had a moment away from business. Dr. Monte Greenawalt of Foot Levelers remedied that by magnanimously hosting a highly regarded Friday evening reception at his home. There were, no doubt, a few dollars dropped by delegates at the 21 and crap tables after hours; an occasional coin slipped in one of the one-armed bandits; and attendance at one of the shows (Wayne Newton, Johnny Mathis, etc., or my personal favorite, the "Crazy Girls." But rest assured, the chiropractic state delegates were the hardest working, most professional (and best dressed) contingent at the Aladdin Hotel, and represented your state's interests with dedication and single-minded concern.
Steve Kelly
assistant editor
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