In a landmark development, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has reached a $2.8 billion settlement to resolve antitrust claims brought by health care providers, including chiropractors. The lawsuit accused BCBS of dividing the nation into exclusive regions and limiting competition, which resulted in lower reimbursements for providers. Although BCBS denies any wrongdoing, the company agreed to the settlement to avoid lengthy litigation – and you can get a piece of the pie.
Brazilian and American DCs Meet in Sao Paulo
The Associacao Brasileira de Quiropraxia (ABQ), just established at the end of last year, met in Sao Paulo, Brazil April 2-4, for the association's second meeting.
The meeting boasted the participation of American DCs, including Dr. LeRoy F. Otto, a coordinator of the support group to ABQ in the U.S., and a former professor at Palmer University.
An important topic at the ABQ meeting was facilitating a program to bring American DCs to Brazil to help educate its citizens about chiropractic. The meeting's participants stressed the importance of defining "strict criteria of selection" when choosing doctors to work in Brazil, and discussed helping the DCs adapt to the transition. The American support group will be in charge of selecting the DCs.
In another measure aimed at improving chiropractic in Brazil, the ABQ announced that three scholarships for Brazilian students had been offered by Palmer University, Parker College of Chiropractic, and Northwestern College of Chiropractic. The selection process has already begun and the three students selected are scheduled to start their courses in 1994.
During the meeting, the ABQ's American support group donated the copyright of two technical books on chiropractic. The Portuguese versions of these two books will be issued up to the end of this year, and the copyright earnings will be used in ABQ projects.
To round out the meeting's theme of education, Dr. Otto gave a presentation on the symptoms and treatment of tortipelvis.
Editor's note: Inquires may be made to:
Silvia Maiolino
ABQ press officer
al. dos tupiniquins 786 - 4 andar
04077-001
Sao Paulo
Brasil
tel/fax: 011 55 11 542-7226