The ACA and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) have been working together these past months in behind-the-scenes lobbying efforts with key Congressmen and their staff to amend the HEAL tiering system and to institute reforms to lower default rates among chiropractic colleges.
"We're extremely pleased by the meetings we've had and the action so far of this issue," said Richard Miller. Mr. Miller noted that some of the reforms suggested by the chiropractic profession to lower default rates among its students will be included in the final version of legislation reauthorizing the loan program for at least another three years.
Representatives from the ACA's Government Relation's staff met with the ranking member of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and senior staff members of Senate Labor Committee Chairman Edward Kennedy, among others, to "put the finishing touches on suggested conference language ... acceptable to the conference committee."
Mr. Miller pointed to the chiropractic profession's early recognition of the serious problems with the HEAL program, particularly the high default rate among some chiropractic colleges. "We have tried very hard and expanded an extraordinary amount of time and resources in seeking to respond responsibly to those problems, and to defeat any attempts to directly or indirectly discriminate against chiropractic students in the amount of money available under HEAL.
Reference:
1. Clum G: The HEAL Saga, Part 2. Dynamic Chiropractic, January 31, 1992.
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