The development of the "tiering system" for HEAL loans (a system that allocates the $260 million HEAL funds based on ranking the private financial institutions that offer the most favorable terms), has drastically cut the available HEAL funds to chiropractic students for the current fiscal year (FY). One chiropractic lender, for example, with $60 million in loan allocations for FY 90-91 is reduced to a $15 million allocation under the current tiering system.1
The ACA and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) have been working together these past months in behind-the-scenes lobbying efforts with key Congressmen and their staff to amend the HEAL tiering system and to institute reforms to lower default rates among chiropractic colleges.
"We're extremely pleased by the meetings we've had and the action so far of this issue," said Richard Miller. Mr. Miller noted that some of the reforms suggested by the chiropractic profession to lower default rates among its students will be included in the final version of legislation reauthorizing the loan program for at least another three years.
Representatives from the ACA's Government Relation's staff met with the ranking member of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and senior staff members of Senate Labor Committee Chairman Edward Kennedy, among others, to "put the finishing touches on suggested conference language ... acceptable to the conference committee."
Mr. Miller pointed to the chiropractic profession's early recognition of the serious problems with the HEAL program, particularly the high default rate among some chiropractic colleges. "We have tried very hard and expanded an extraordinary amount of time and resources in seeking to respond responsibly to those problems, and to defeat any attempts to directly or indirectly discriminate against chiropractic students in the amount of money available under HEAL.
Reference:
1. Clum G: The HEAL Saga, Part 2. Dynamic Chiropractic, January 31, 1992.
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
