Among the many issues considered and discussed by the membership, the Mercy Guidelines received the most attention. After much debate, the following resolution was unanimously passed:
National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys' Resolution
Be It Hereby Resolved, that:
Whereas, the National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys acknowledges the Mercy Commission efforts in the establishment of guidelines for chiropractic quality assurance and practice parameters: and
Whereas, the Mercy Commission has modified their recent draft, after the NACA Practice Parameters Committee gave input, to include several of the recommendations from NACA; and
Whereas, the Mercy Commission document is still in preliminary draft status and NACA recognizes any such document will be continuously evolving; and
Whereas, NACA will continue to give input and make recommendations as appropriate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that NACA strongly urges that an update and review mechanism be implemented as soon as possible so that it is in place prior to the July 1, 1993 effective date.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Mercy Conference Committee should retain legal counsel thoroughly experienced in problems of malpractice law and third-party payer law to advise and comment on any proposed revisions to the Guidelines at the earliest possible stage.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NACA encourages the continuance of a process of establishing guidelines for chiropractic quality assurance and practice parameters currently being undertaken by the Mercy Conference Report that was commissioned by the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that NACA respectfully suggests that NACA Practice Parameters Committee be included in the deliberations of the Joint Commission on Chiropractic Standards and Guideline Development.
During the NACA meeting, there was also much discussion concerning President-elect Clinton's promised health care reform proposal (please see "Health Reform Promised in First 100 Days" in the November 20, 1992 issue). Shawn Steel, Esq., of Los Angeles was assigned to be the NACA member responsible for this issue. Mr. Steel has been very involved in California politics, particularly with Congressman Dana Rohrabacher.
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