The legislative committees of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) have agreed to work cooperatively toward passage of legislative language to improve the standing of doctors of chiropractic and their patients under Medicare.
The ICA legislative committee and the ACA Commission on Legislation convened in a joint session on October 7, 1989, to craft legislative language that would, if passed by congress, eliminate Medicare's mandatory x-ray policy and allow the DC to make his own diagnosis, and authorize payment for x-rays, physical examinations, and adjustments of the spine.
The two committees have recommended the creation of a new entity to spearhead this initiative. A proposal has been presented to the respective boards of directors of the ICA and ACA calling for the establishment of a Chiropractic Task Force For Medicare Report. The single purpose of this task force will be to implement the legislative strategy decided upon to secure the ultimate passage of the chiropractic amendment.
Legislative plans include the introduction of the chiropractic amendment in both the House of Representatives and the Senate early in 1990. Meanwhile the task force will be soliciting support from a select group of top health care leaders in congress and from among them, choose the appropriate individuals to sponsor this legislation.
In adopting the amendatory language, the two associations displayed a spirit of cooperation intended to serve the interest of all DCs regardless of national association affiliation. All actions taken toward final passage of this historic amendment will be conducted in a manner so as to foster a continuation of this cooperative spirit.
