Chiro Educators and Assoc. Reps Forge Coalition

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With the specter of imminent national health care reform looming, representatives from all 14 CCE accredited chiropractic colleges, the ACA, ICA, and several state associations, convened in the nation's capital February 24th to form an ad hoc coalition to foster chiropractic.

Palmer College of Chiropractic organized the meeting, with Palmer Chancellor Michael E. Crawford chairing the coalition. "The primary intent of the meeting was to help mobilize the colleges," said Mr. Crawford.

The coalition members agreed that a broad-based lobbying effort that includes chiropractic patients was necessary. "It is too self-serving for only DCs to lobby this issue," said ACA Chairman Dr. Kerwin Winkler. "If this is portrayed as a 'consumers' rights' issue -- which it legitimately is -- we'll strengthen our position many fold," Dr. Winkler concluded.

The college representatives agreed to work through their alumni associations to distribute chiropractic advocacy materials and urge their graduates to contact Congress and the Clinton administration.

In addition, the chiropractic coalition agreed to work closely with the Arkansas delegation to develop and deliver its message to the administration.

The coalition itemized a five-part declaration for chiropractic in the upcoming health care reform:

1. Chiropractic care should be a basic benefit of any national health insurance program.

    

2. Chiropractors are primary health care providers.

    

3. Chiropractors are capable of serving as gatekeepers in managed care systems.

    

4. Restricting chiropractic care will force consumers to seek less efficient and more costly forms of health care.

    

5. Limitations placed on chiropractic in a managed care scheme would virtually eliminate chiropractic involvement because of professional bias and ignorance about chiropractic.

Future actions of the ad hoc coalition will be coordinated and directed by Chancellor Crawford. Although the health care coalition's strategy is still in the development stages, Mr. Crawford gave assurances that the chiropractic coalition would be heard from.

 

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The following is an alphabetic listing of representatives attending the chiropractic coalition meeting:

College Representatives:

Cleveland
President Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III

Life
President Dr. Sid E. Williams

Life West
President Dr. Gerard Clum

Logan
President Dr. George A. Goodman
Dr. Ann Billot
Dr. Anthony Billot

National
President Dr. James Winterstein

New York
President Dr. Kenneth W. Padgett

Northwestern
President Dr. John Allenburg
Mr. Ron Robinson

Palmer
Chancellor: Michael Crawford
President Dr. Donald Kern

Palmer Chiropractic University Trustees: Vickie A. Palmer and Dr. Roger Hulsebus Alumni Assoc. President: Dr. Robert Brooks Mr. Gary Mohr, and Mr. Darrell Slabaugh

Palmer West
President Dr. Peter Martin
Dr. Stephen Hartman

Parker
Dr. Neil Stern

Texas
President Dr. Shelby M. Elliot
Neurology Instructor Dr. Brad McKechnie

Western States
President Dr. William H. Dallas

 

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American Chiropractic Association
Board Chairman: Dr. Kerwin P. Winkler

Vice President of Governmental Relations: Richard Miller Assistant
Directors of Governmental Relations: Michael Hogan and Paul Kelly, and Thomas Daly

Arkansas Chiropractic Association Dr. Gaylon Carter, Dr. Stan Heard, and Dr. Sam Haley

Association of Chiropractic Colleges
President: Dr. Gerard Clum
Mr. Doug Walgren
Dr. Howard E. Holcomb

International Chiropractors Association
Executive Director: Mr. Ron Hendrickson
President: Dr. James Gregg

Legislative Counsel: DCs Jim Corman, John Hoffman, Ian Grassam, and Mike Nathanson

Maryland Representative
Mr. Tom McMillian, former U.S. Congressman

Oklahoma Chiropractic Physicians
Wes Watkins, former U.S. Congressman

Texas Chiropractic Association
President: Dr. Michael Martin
Dr. Steve M. Elliot