On Jan. 10, 2003, California Governor Gray Davis introduced his budget proposal for the 2003-2004 fiscal year, in which he proposed that chiropractic be completely eliminated from the state's Medi-Cal program.
According to an Associated Press article, Davis' effort to eliminate chiropractic would only save the state about $100,000 per fiscal quarter. This pales in comparison to the $38 billion budget deficit the state now faces. This is also only a small percentage of the approximately $666,000 per quarter paid for acupuncture and over $48 million per quarter paid for adult dental services.2
On Aug. 2, California's legislature rejected Gov. Davis' attempt to eliminate chiropractic from Medi-Cal. They kept chiropractic in and passed a 5-percent reduction in payments that affected all providers. Davis was trying to get a 15-percent cut.
All this is in addition to Gov. Davis' unwillingness to keep California's chiropractic board functional until his inactivity was exposed. California chiropractors got their licensing board back after the governor let it die for more than seven months due to lack of appointees.3-7
On Oct. 7, Californians will have an opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with Gov. Davis. This is the historic day when the state's first gubernatorial recall election will be held. The recall ballot was made possible by over 1.3 million petition signatures of Californians tired of Davis' antics.
My signature is one of those, as are those of many doctors of chiropractic.
On that same day, Californians will have a choice about who they want to replace Davis as the new governor of our state. The choices are many, but one name clearly sticks out:
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold has been a chiropractic patient and supporter for more than 30 years. He and his family know the benefits of regular chiropractic care firsthand. He has not been shy about acknowledging chiropractic's role in his bodybuilding and acting success.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a committed chiropractic patient who will consider chiropractic in every decision that might affect our profession and our patients.
It is for this reason that I am personally asking you to ask your patients to vote to remove Gray Davis and elect Arnold Schwarzenegger as our next governor. This is a rare chance to help someone who has supported us for many years reach a position that will give over 10,000 DCs and more than 2 million patients the fair treatment we have always asked for, but rarely received.
Make no mistake about what we are trying to accomplish. The outcome of this election will not guarantee eternal financial bliss for chiropractic. Electing Arnold Schwarzenegger to the governorship will not clear up California's economic woes in an instant.
This is not about politics as usual. This is about electing one of our own. For his dedication to chiropractic and wellness, Arnold received his "Doctor of Humanities" from Cleveland Chiropractic College a few years after I did. He is supremely aware of the benefits of chiropractic care, and will do everything he can as governor to ensure chiropractic is included everywhere we should be.
Gov. Davis tried to take chiropractic out of the state Medi-Cal program this year. We would be crazy to give him a second chance to eliminate chiropractic, especially when we have a chance to elect a true chiropractic friend.
We have a very rare opportunity. We can eliminate an enemy and elect a supporter.
Let's talk to our 2-3 million patients and ask them to recall Gray and elect Arnold as our new governor. Let's make an impact that will be heard across the country.
Now it's our turn.
References
- Davis hammers chiropractic again. Dynamic Chiropractic, Feb. 24, 2003. www.chiroweb.com/archives/21/05/08.html.
- Brice J. Tight budget threatens acupuncture, other Medi-Cal services. Associated Press, Dec. 16, 2002.
- Demise of the California Board of Chiropractic. Dynamic Chiropractic, April 8, 2002. www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/08/01.html.
- Are you listening, Governor Davis? Dynamic Chiropractic, April 8, 2002 www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/08/16.html.
- California Governor Davis responds to DC article. Dynamic Chiropractic, April 22, 2002. www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/09/04.html.
- Governor Davis appoints third DC to California Board. Dynamic Chiropractic, July 1, 2002. www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/14/07.html.
- Do you care about chiropractic, Governor Davis? Dynamic Chiropractic, June 17, 2002. www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/13/18.html.
DMP Jr.
Click here for more information about Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher.