Not everyone in the chiropractic profession is gung-ho for the Chiropractic Medicare Modernization Act of 2019 (H.R. 3654), which (as reported in our September issue) would recognize doctors of chiropractic and physicians within Medicare and allow DCs to provide - and receive appropriate reimbursement for - all services within their respective state's scope of practice.
For one, the International Federation of Chiropractors and Organizations (IFCO) recently issued a letter opposing the legislation, claiming the act "continues to pave the way for the [American Chiropractic Association's] intended plan of scope expansion and primary care physician status." Here is some of the federation's letter, authored by Dr. Liam Schubel, IFCO president:
The ACA has a long history of leadership who are in support of scope expansion to include pharmaceuticals as well as the marginalization of vertebral subluxation-centered chiropractic. The most recent evidence comes in the form of their "Choosing Wisely" campaign which openly attacks, without basis, the long-established x-ray standards of care in the management of vertebral subluxation.
The IFCO wishes to remind all organizations that to remain silent in these matters, or worse, to join forces with the ACA in this and other matters that seem beneficial to both parties is a union of diametrically opposed values and objectives.
The proposed act does nothing to support or increase the public's access to vertebral subluxation-centered care.
You can read the entire IFCO letter in opposition to H.R. 3654 by clicking here. To read the ACA's rationale for supporting the legislation, click here.
