Dr. Jerilynn Kaibel Appointed to HHS Advisory Committee

Jerilynn S. Kaibel, D.C., from San Bernardino, California was appointed to the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (PPAC) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) February 28, 1992 by Secretary of the HHS Dr. Louis W. Sullivan. Her term will be for one year.

The PPAC is a high-level HHS committee which advises the Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA) on policy matters relating to the administration of the federal government's multi-billion dollar Medicare program. Established in 1990 as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, the PPAC is a 15-member committee comprised of medical physicians and other health care providers. Its primary duties are to advise Congress, the secretary of HHS, and the HCFA administrator regarding Medicare policy matters, proposed regulatory changes, and the issuance of insurance carriers' manual instructions.

The council meets on a quarterly basis and makes policy recommendations directly to the administrator of HCFA, Gail Wilensky.

Dr. Kaibel was nominated for the PPAC position by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), and was selected from a nationwide pool of several hundred physician applicants for the position.

A graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College at Los Angeles (CCCLA), Dr. Kaibel formerly attended Marycrest College in Kankakee, Illinois and the University of Maryland Extension in Kami Seya, Japan. Dr. Kaibel has served on the post-graduate faculty of the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (LACC), CCCLA, and Pasadena College of Chiropractic (now Southern California College of Chiropractic). She is a member of the ACA, the California Chiropractic Society (CCA), the Riverside County Chiropractic Society, and the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA).

Dr. Kaibel's many awards include: Riverside County Chiropractic Society "Doctor of the Year" 1986-87; CCA's "Doctor of the Year" 1986-87; Contra Costa County Chiropractic Society award for outstanding service 1986-88; and the "Carl S. Cleveland, Sr. Award for Outstanding Service to the Chiropractic Profession," September 19, 1987.

Some of her professional offices have included: first vice president of the CCA (1985-86); president, CCA (1986-87; 1987-88); director of the COCSA; ACA Southern California delegate; president, Riverside County Chiropractic Society; and six years as chair of the Medical Quality Review Committee, California Board of Medical Quality Assurance for District XII. Dr. Kaibel was appointed by the California Department of Industrial Relations as an Independent Medical Examiner (IME); by the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners to the post of Commissioner on Examination in physical therapy; and by the California Industrial Medical Council as a Qualified Medical Examiner (QME).

Of her appointment Dr. Kaibel said: "I thrive on challenge. The opportunity to serve on the Practicing Physician's Advisory Council promises to provide such a challenge while at the same time providing the opportunity to be of service both to the Department of Health and Human Services and the consumer public insured through the Medicare program. The strength of the American Chiropractic Association and the chiropractic profession has been demonstrated with this appointment. I will do my utmost to become a participating member of this committee to ensure that the interests of the chiropractic profession as well as the chiropractic patient will be heard."

Richard Miller, ACA director of government relations, said of Dr. Kaibel's appointment to the HHS, "We are grateful for the progressive attitude displayed by Dr. Sullivan in making this important appointment. We are hopeful this is the first, of what will prove to be other significant appointments as we continue the business of building bridges to the Department of HHS. This won't happen overnight, and our progress is likely to be measured in steps, rather than large leaps and bounds -- but the end result will be the same -- recognition of the profession will continue to move forward."

Below is the letter Dr. Kaibel received from Secretary of HHH Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., informing her of the appointment.

Jerilynn S. Kaibel, D.C.
1998 North "D" Street
San Bernardino, California 92405

Dear Dr. Kaibel:

I am delighted to invite you to serve on the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council of the Health Care Financing Administration for a term beginning immediately and ending February 28, 1993, subject to prescribed appointment procedures and to periodic review of the Council's functions.

Enclose is a copy of the Charter which describes the structure and functions of this Council. I hop you will find it possible to accept this invitation and give us the benefit of your valued counsel. You may indicate your acceptance or declination by signing and returning the enclosed Acknowledgement of Invitation.

Upon learning of your acceptance, I shall ask the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration to supply you with further information relating to your appointment.

Sincerely,