According to the suit in question, a chiropractor in Atlantic County, New Jersey allegedly entered into an agreement with a medical doctor in Connecticut to create the appearance that a chiropractic clinic was a medical center owned by the medical doctor. Such an agreement bypasses state health care regulations that limit chiropractors' scope of practice and are designed to reduce health care costs.
The scheme is apparently connected to a seminar program run by a chiropractor in California. According to testimony from the chiropractor in Atlantic County, he was introduced to the medical doctor in Connecticut through the seminar. The chiropractor who runs the seminar program allegedly also supplied paperwork and instructions on how to set up the medical corporation.
Five State Chiropractic Boards Show Their Support of ACA Lawsuit
In a show of support for the American Chiropractic Association's ongoing lawsuit against the Health Care Financing Administration, the boards of chiropractic examiners for the states of Alabama, Arizona, California, Idaho and North Carolina have all adopted resolutions outlining their concern and opposition to the HCFA's regulations in the Medicare Plus Choice health plan. The new plan allows non-DCs to deliver manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation to Medicare beneficiaries.
In part, the respective resolutions state:
"Whereas, applicants seeking licensure to practice chiropractic must demonstrate significant education, training and experience in the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal disorders (including subluxations of the spine) and other physical conditions related thereto, as well as the ability to perform a sophisticated differential diagnosis to determine the overall health status of the patient to determine when referral to another health care provider is necessary in order to assure patient safety, and
"Whereas, this Board is aware of no other health care provider licensed by this state with the specific education, training and experience to perform the chiropractic service of manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation, and believes that patient health and welfare may well be severely compromised by allowing non-chiropractors, with inadequate or no training, to perform chiropractic services, and
"Whereas, the federal government through the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has proposed a 'choice of provider' regulation related to the Medicare+Choice program (Medicare Part C) that would permit non-chiropractors to provide the statutorially defined chiropractic service consisting of 'manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation,' and
"Whereas, such 'choice of provider' regulation usurps the authority of this Board to regulate the practice of chiropractic and to grant licenses to applicants to practice chiropractic in this state, be it therefore
"Resolved, that the ... Board of Chiropractic Examiners/Licensure formally opposes the implementation of the 'choice of practitioner' provision of the proposed Medicare+Choice regulations to violate the right and authority of the state to oppose and to rectify the current proposal of the Health Care Financing Administration to assure that this state retains the right to regulate and license the professional practice of chiropractic within its borders and to protect the health and safety of its citizens."
ACA President James Mertz,DC, DACBR, issued a challenge to the chiropractic boards in every state to adopt the resolution in support of the association's lawsuit. "It is time to stand firm in that chiropractors are the only licensed practitioners that can provide the service of manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation," said Dr. Mertz. "I challenge all 50 states to protect the rights and authority of the profession."
The Department of Health and Human Services recently petitioned the court to dismiss the ACA lawsuit against HCFA.
Virginia Chiropractic Association Issues Challenge, Donates to Habitat for Humanity
The Virginia Chiropractic Association recently delivered a $48,000 grant to the Greater Charlottesville branch of Habitat for Humanity. The grant, enough to build a home for a family now living in substandard housing, was issued as a challenge to other health care organizations and health professionals in the area to build more homes and put an end to poverty housing in the state.
"The Virginia Chiropractic Association is proud to make a commitment to the citizens of the Commonwealth by supporting Habitat for Humanity," said Dr. Douglas M. Cox, the VCA's president. "We urge professionals in all sectors of the health care field to meet our challenge to help build decent, affordable housing for Virginia's needy families."
"A generous challenge like this is a great way to get people excited about Habitat," added Overton McGehee, executive director of Greater Charlottesville Habitat for Humanity. "I have no doubt that other health care professionals will rise to the challenge and sponsor a house. In fact, I hope these two will be the first of many houses sponsored by health care professionals."
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit ecumenical Christian organization that seeks to end poverty housing worldwide. More than 500 homes have been built in Virginia by Habitat for Humanity since 1992. The group is building seven homes in 1999 and has planned at least nine more for next year, thanks in large part to the VCA's donation.
Journal of Chiropractic Humanities Becomes a Paperless Publication
As of this month, the Journal of Chiropractic Humanities, a publication of the National College of Chiropractic, will become a web-based publication only and will no longer be mailed to chiropractors in the United States.
The decision to publish the Journal in an electronic format only was reached because of the global scope of the internet, and because it is more economical to maintain an electronic publication. In addition to its new format, the Journal will allow readers to scan article summaries and then download article submissions from its website. Users will need to use Adobe Acrobat, a free, downloadable program, to view and print documents on line.
The publication's primary mission is to foster debate and interaction within the chiropractic profession regarding the sociological and philosophical aspects of chiropractic. For more information, visit the Journal's website at www.national.chiropractic.edu/humanities/index.html .
A "Tremendous" Day for Chiropractic
Charles "Tremendous" Jones, a long-time supporter of the chiropractic profession, received a Golden award from Karl Parker Sharing Seminars for a half-century of public speaking and more than 30 years of service to chiropractic. Dr. Karl Parker presented the award personally to Mr. Jones at a recent seminar in Philadelphia.
Mr. Jones was recognized at the ceremony for his contributions to the growth and support of chiropractic. Dr. Parker noted Jones's support to the Parker family; his skills in motivating chiropractors to succeed; and his extensive research of books for information and insight, which have helped doctors of chiropractic provide greater service to their communities.
Dynamic Chiropractic editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email
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