The other reason the ACA filed suit on November 12, 1998 against HCFA was to stop Medicare Part C regulations from being implemented that allow the adjustment to be performed by PTs and other health providers.
In anticipation of the chiropractic utilization report, the U.S. Attorney's Office requested a 60-day extension (until April 12) to respond to ACA's complaint against HCFA. This is the second extension granted to HCFA.
The lawsuit is receiving wide support from the:
National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys (NACA)
"NACA is pleased to support the efforts of the ACA in its efforts to assure that Medicare beneficiaries continue to have access to chiropractic. NACA is cognizant that Medicare reimbursement and coverage models often serve as a template for private payor systems. We simply cannot afford to permit the proposed Part C regulatory scheme as a framework for private managed care plans."-- Paul Lambert, President, NACA
Kansas Chiropractic Association (KCA)
"Kansas was the first state to pass a chiropractic licensing law and now continues that leadership example by being one of the first state associations to formally endorse the HCFA lawsuit. We commend the ACA for taking charge on this important issue and challenge all other state associations to match or exceed the $5,000 contribution from Kansas."-- R. Jerry DeGrado, DC, President, KCA
Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA)
"The COCSA board of directors has voted to donate to the legal fund. (We) encourage all chiropractic associations and practitioners to investigate this lawsuit. If chiropractors don't fight for chiropractic, who will?"-- Dale Cohen, DC, President, COCSA
"Many, if not all, third-party payers look to HCFA policy when setting their own standards. The PCA realizes that this is a fight for the survival of this profession. That is why we are donating $2,500 and pledging $7,500 more."
-- Mark Minuto, DC, President, PCA
Editor's note: Call (800) 986-4636 to contribute to the ACA lawsuit, or send a check or credit card donation to:
Legal Action Fund/HCFA Lawsuit
P.O. Box 75359
Baltimore, MD 21275
Parker College Seeks New President
Since the resignation of Dr. Karl Parker last September (see "Dr. Parker Steps Down as Parker College President," DC, October 19, 1998), Dr. Neil Stern, the school's executive vice president, has been the acting president.
The Parker Board has announced the search is on for candidates for president of the college. Reviews of presidential candidates began February 1.
Dr. Rob Czopoth, Parker's chairman of the board, said PCC has "always sought to complete Dr. Jim's dream of philosophical and academic excellence in education." ("Dr. Jim" is James Parker,DC, founder of the college).
"Our challenge," Dr. Czopoth added, "is to find a president with the vision."
Candidates may send their resumes and other supporting materials to:
Parker College of Chiropractic
Presidential Search Committee
c/o Ann Stark,DC
4405-B Pack Saddle Pass
Austin, TX 78745
Vaccine Group Says Hepatitis Vaccine May Be More Dangerous than Disease Itself
The National Vaccine Information Center reports it has done an "independent analysis of raw computer data" generated by the government's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The data shows that in 1996, there were 872 serious events reported to VAERS in children under 14 years of age who had been injected with the hepatitis B vaccine. Forty-eight children were reported to have died after they were injected with the vaccine.
In 1991, the Centers for Disease Control recommended that all infants be injected with the hepatitis B vaccine before being discharged from the hospital, even though the only newborns at risk for contracting the disease are those born to hepatitis B-infected mothers. Thirty-five states still require all children to receive three doses of hepatitis B vaccine or be denied entry to day care, kindergarten, high school or college.
In 1990, a year before the CDC issued the order for all children to get the vaccine, there were a total of 21,102 cases of hepatitis B reported in the United States.
Editor's note: The National Vaccine Information Center can be reached at (703) 938-0342; fax: (703) 938-5768; www.909shot.com.
Western States Faculty Members Publish Survey on Immunization
To determine the extent to which faculty at chiropractic colleges influence the profession's attitudes toward immunization, a pair of faculty members from Western States Chiropractic College created a survey used at 19 chiropractic colleges (U.S. and Canada).
Fred Colley, PhD, MPH, and Mitchell Hass, DC, MA, developed the questionnaire that polled faculty attitudes and approaches to instruction in immunology and immunizations. The results of the survey were published in the winter 1998 issue of the Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System.
"From the results of this survey, it is obvious there is great interest in this topic," said Dr. Colley. "Most colleges are attempting to instill a responsible attitude in their students regarding the risks, benefits and scientific evidence for and against immunization. It was also interesting to find that some colleges teach this subject in philosophy and pediatric courses as well as in public health offerings."
Joliet Junior College Elects DC as Chairman of the Board
The Joliet Junior College board of trustees has elected Dr. John Hertko to the post of chairman. A 1978 graduate of National College of Chiropractic, Dr. Hertko has served on the college's board since 1993. He previously served as vice chair on the board of trustees for one year before his recent election as chair.
Founded in 1901, Joliet Junior College is the oldest public community college in the nation. Situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago, the college serves more than 11,000 students per year and consists of three campuses in Joliet and neighboring Romeoville.
Chiropractic Back Safety along the Alaska Pipeline
Bill McAfee,DC, of Fairbanks, Alaska, recently was contracted by the Aleyeska Pipeline Co. to lecture on back safety to employees at pumpstations along the 800-mile stretch of pipe from the Port of Valdez to Prudue Bay.
Dr. McAfee was flown by helicopter to the various pipeline pumpstations to teach care and prevention of back injury. "I'm very impressed that the Aleyeska Pipeline Co. is willing to invest so much in the well-being of its employees," Dr. McAfee commented.
New E-mail Address for CCE
The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) has a new e-mail address --
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