ICA Issues Response to Merger Demand

In the past few years, chiropractic organizations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan and Colorado have united to speak with a single voice about the issues facing doctors of chiropractic in their respective states.^1-3 In March 2007, the outcry for national unity officially began when the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) passed a "Resolution on National Unity," demanding that the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the International Chiropractic Association (ICA) begin the process of a merger.⁴

The ACA board of governors responded to the merger demand on May 1, 2007, releasing a statement inviting the ICA to begin discussions: "ACA continues to stand ready and willing to begin merger discussions with ICA leaders. We invite our colleagues at ICA to meet with us to begin the discussions that will hopefully lead to a stronger and more powerful chiropractic profession."⁵ ACA President Richard Brassard, DC, also wrote a letter to ICA President John Maltby, DC, recommending that a merger discussion begin immediately.⁶

In his letter, Dr. Brassard stated, "COCSA's resolution on unity challenges both the ACA and ICA to work together to pursue a new future for the chiropractic profession and the doctors and patients that our organizations serve. Accepting that challenge is difficult, because it requires both associations to set aside past differences to find common ground on which to build a relationship. I believe that we can build the foundation of sincere and earnest discussion about ways to address the threats and opportunities facing our profession."

The ICA board of directors and representatives assembly met April 27-28, 2007, in Washington, D.C., for their scheduled 81^st Annual Meeting. At that meeting, the combined ICA leadership unanimously adopted the following statement on the merger issue:⁷

The International Chiropractors Association has always stood ready to work with any chiropractic association or group for the common good of the chiropractic profession, the principles we stand for, and the patients we serve. We have repeatedly extended our hand in the spirit of cooperation in an effort to gain a unified voice in those areas where such a voice is useful and favorable. Our participation in the Chiropractic Coalition, an organization in which all national associations were asked to participate, demonstrates our willingness to continue these efforts.

Historically, there have been four attempts to force a merger of the ICA with another national chiropractic association. Each of these attempts resulted in defeat of the proposal, and a decline in membership for both associations involved. In all these attempts, an organizational merger was attempted without a basic understanding of the very uniqueness that necessitates the various organizations. The ICA has no desire at present to repeat these historical failures by pursuing the same course.

There are basic chiropractic philosophical tenets that ICA holds supreme, and are not subject to compromise. It is the separate and clear voice of the ICA that has created a system of checks and balances in our profession. Over the past several decades it has been painfully obvious that this separate voice has prevented the profession from drifting in a direction that ICA views as clearly in violation of our philosophical tenets, as well as detrimental to our profession and the unique contribution we offer the public.

Although we view the "demand" from one organization upon another to be a curious course of action, we can appreciate the desire to further the profession of chiropractic. ICA shares these desires but does not agree on the course of action being proposed. ICA continues to pledge cooperative effort in those areas where a common voice can speak on issues. However, on those issues where a separate voice is needed, ICA will continue to express that voice.

"ICA has communicated with the president of the American Chiropractic Association, reiterating ICA's willingness to cooperate on issues of common concern, for the greater good of the profession, especially in the realm of legislation and public policy," said Dr. Maltby. "We look forward to that dialogue and will keep the ICA membership informed of the results."⁷

References

1. "Unity in New Jersey." Dynamic Chiropractic, Jan. 15, 2005. www.chiroweb.com/archives/23/02/18.html.
2. "Unity Message Seems to Be Getting Through: Three Colorado Chiropractic Associations Merge." Dynamic Chiropractic, Sept. 14, 2006. www.chiroweb.com/archives/24/19/20.html.
3. "Unity in Michigan; As of Jan. 1, 2007, the Michigan Chiropractic Association and Michigan Chiropractic Society Are Operating As a Single Entity." Dynamic Chiropractic, Jan. 29, 2007. www.chiroweb.com/archives/25/03/18.html.
4. "COCSA Demands Merger of ACA, ICA." Dynamic Chiropractic, May 7, 2007. www.chiroweb.com/archives/25/10/07.html.
5. "ACA Responds to National Unity Demand; Invites ICA to Begin Merger Discussions Immediately." Dynamic Chiropractic, June 4, 2007. www.chiroweb.com/archives/25/12/01.html.
6. Letter from Dr. Richard Brassard to Dr. John Maltby, May 2, 2007.
7. "ICA Leadership Issues Statement on Merger Issue." Press release from the International Chiropractors Association.