Inadequate pain management coupled with the epidemic of prescription opioid overuse and abuse has taken a severe toll on the lives of millions of people in the United States. Every day, more than 1,000 people are treated in the ER for misusing prescription opioids. Deaths involving opioids have quadrupled since 1999. It is clear the public needs the conservative, drug-free approach of doctors of chiropractic now more than ever.
At the same time, we're entering 2017 with a new administration at the helm, one that has pledged to repeal and replace "Obamacare." While this potentially puts in jeopardy the non-discrimination provision (section 2706) of the Affordable Care Act which bars health care plans from prohibiting patient access to a whole class of providers such as DCs, it also provides us with an opportunity to reshape our role in the health care system of the future.
Along with Obamacare repeal efforts, an overhaul of the Medicare and Medicaid programs is possible – and the chiropractic profession needs to remain active to ensure patients have access to the essential services DCs provide and our voices are heard.
Having recently come on board the ACA as its new executive vice president, it is clear to me that the public and the profession need a strong advocate and champion at the federal level – and I'm proud to say the ACA is poised to address these concerns and continue in this leadership role well into the future.
Strategic Plan
It truly is an exciting time to be joining the ACA. The association's leadership has positioned the organization for success with a visionary strategic plan to guide the organization to new levels of excellence, and I look forward to channeling ACA's resources into these important initiatives.
In brief, the plan is centered on four pillars of excellence around which all of the ACA's initiatives and goals will be based. In the area of policy excellence, the ACA will ensure increased access for patients to chiropractic services and will promote evidence-informed, patient centered practice. We will also remain the recognized leader and pre-eminent organization for advocacy excellence on national public health and payment policy, and we will accomplish our goals through collaboration with other organizations.
At both the staff and volunteer level, ACA will strive for organizational excellence through outstanding customer service to members and the public by working to continually improve, while establishing high professional standards for our members. The association will also exhibit communications excellence by being the voice for evidence-informed chiropractic and focusing our communications efforts on programs and initiatives that are most important to members.
This sound strategic plan, which I've touched on only briefly, is one of the reasons I was drawn to join the ACA as its chief staff executive. The enthusiasm, commitment and vision of ACA's volunteers who set this plan in motion has been evident throughout my discussions with them over the past two months, and it has been refreshing to work with a group of association leaders who possess such a wonderful combination of introspection and innovation.
Organizational Priorities
ACA leaders understand that transformational action and change are necessary to grow the organization and engage younger doctors who will be the leaders and members of the future. Our strategic plan will serve as the guiding force for the ACA staff and volunteer leadership as we work on our organizational priorities in 2017.
These priorities include a through review and restructuring of the association's governance (which is currently underway) in an effort to encourage wider and more meaningful participation for members. A branding initiative is also in progress that will ensure the ACA remains relevant to the next generation of members and patients.
In addition, the association's National Medicare Equality Initiative (www.acatoday.org/equality/doctors) remains an organizational priority, and we continue to work with Congress to produce a legislative solution to ensure that our nation's seniors have full access to and reimbursement for chiropractic services.
Now that the elections are over, we are hopeful that we will soon be able to engage the profession at the grassroots level to advance this important legislative initiative.
Meanwhile, I have been honored to work collaboratively with the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) on what is sure to be the premier chiropractic event in the new year – DC2017 (www.dc2017.org/), scheduled to take place March 15-18 in Washington, D.C. For the first time, all three organizations are teaming up to deliver a packed program containing the hottest scientific research, inspiring thought leaders, stimulating debate and topical workshops. It will be an opportunity for attendees to network with more than 1,500 doctors of chiropractic from around the world.
These exciting projects will be my top priorities in the months ahead, and I look forward to being a part of them.
More than anything, however, I have enjoyed spending a great deal of time listening and asking questions in my first months at the ACA – through phone calls with members, volunteers, corporate supporters and other stakeholder groups in the profession. It is through these conversations that I am learning about the needs of the profession and where the ACA can provide the most impact.
The ACA belongs to its members, whose voices, ideas and values are the heart and soul of the organization. I'd love to hear your thoughts as I embark on this exciting new journey.
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?
