A bi-monthly report submitted by the national associations to keep you up-to-date on the latest activities affecting national laws and legislation. American Chiropractic Association (ACA) Judge Gives Green Light to Lawsuit against Trigon A federal judge has ruled thai the lawsuit of the ACA and the Virginia Chiropractic Association (VCA)— together with numerous doctors of chiropractic and their patients—against Trigon Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Virginia may move forward. In a significant decision. Judge James P. Jones of the U.S. District Court in Abingdon. V A, ruled that 6 of the 8 counts against Trigon. if proven, are sufficient to support a judgment. PTs Seek Ownership of "Manual Manipulation to Correct a Subluxation" Calling the ACA"s lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) "a direct attack on the interests of its members", the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has requested that the court allow it to intervene in the ACA's lawsuit—a move ACA will resolutely oppose. The APTA hopes to reverse a recent legal position taken by HHS—in response to ACA's lawsuit—officially acknowledging that PT's cannot provide manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation under Medicare. Your sustained support of ihe ACA's National Chiropractic Legal Action Fund will help fund both of these important lawsuits. Please make donations payable to: NCLAF. P.O. Box 75359. Baltimore. MD 21275 Another Example of ACA Lobbying Success After a sustained lobbying effort by the ACA and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, the Senate Health. Education. Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee has voted to approve legislation which, for the first time, would make the chiropractic profession eligible to participate in the National Health Service Corps' (NHSC) student loan reimbursement program. As approved by the HELP Committee, the chiropractic profession would be eligible to participate in the program for a three-year test period, after which Congress would consider making the chiropractic profession's inclusion in the program permanent. The House of Representatives must also pass companion legislation, and any differences between the House and Senate versions must be reconciled and approved by both houses of Congress. The ACA is grateful for the grassroots lobbying support of the Student American Chiropractic Association, and DCs across the country! International Chiropractors Association (ICA) In ICA'S New Congressional Initiatives, the Issue Is Access Two congressional initiatives have recently been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, at the request of the ICA. aimed at opening up new access to chiropractic services for upwards of 20 million Americans, through the Medicare and Federal Employees Health Benefits programs. These two initiatives represent responsible, practical and affordable policy enhancements that, when enacted, will make a major difference in the chiropractic economy in the United States and in the quality of health care and quality of life for millions of our citizens. MEDICARE: H.R. 2284. introduced by Representative John Lewis (D-GA). will expand the list of services reimbursed under Medicare to include examinations and X-ray services. This landmark bill will also provide that only doctors of chiropractic be authorized to deliver chiropractic services under Medicare. This important legislation represents a major step forward for the chiropractic patient, in that it removes the practical barriers that have kept millions of Medicare beneficiaries from realistic-access to chiropractic services. In order to provide the care our senior citizens need, examinations and imaging procedures, such as X-rays, are absolutely essential for the provision of quality chiropractic care. When seniors discover that Medicare only pays for the adjustment, too many make the painful decision not to seek chiropractic care, because they simply cannot afford to pay for those key elements in the chiropractic care program. This bill will open the door for those millions of citizens. ICA urges all doctors of chiropractic, students, patients and friends of the profession to ask their Member of Congress to add their names to the co-sponsors list for HR 2284. FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS: HR 2087. the Federal Employees Access to Chiropractic Health Care Act of 2001. was introduced at ICA's request on June 4, 2001. by Vermont Representative Bernard Sanders. This important initiative will enhance the quality of care and increase competition in federal employee health benefits programs, by insuring that beneficiaries in these programs have the right to access chiropractic care, if they feel it best meets their health care needs. This patient choice bill represents an important step forward in insuring that federal employees have the widest possible range of health care choices. This bill, also, is intended to enhance competition in federal health care programs, since chiropractic services are highly cost-effective, and represent a highly effective, drug-free, natural approach to health and healthcare that no other profession offers. The International Chiropractors Association urges all in the chiropractic profession to contact their Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and urge them to add their names to the co-sponsors list for HR 2087. Additional details of these important initiatives, along with model letters and informational materials will are available via ICA's website at www.chiropractic.org. You can find your Congressional Representatives via ICA"s website, through the Congressional Action Center in ICA's Legislative Affairs section. World Chiropractic Alliance (VVCA) This summer lias been ;i busy and productive one lor the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA). During this period, the WCA: Continued to send all doctors who request them, tree packets of printed postcards in support of House Concurrent Resolution 46. and the chiropractic Postage Stamp. So far. the WCA has pro vided more than a quarter million postcards to DCs throughout the country. Scheduled an historic "Chiro- praetic Day at the Capitol" event for Sept. 25. 2001. including a roundtable discussion with key legislators. Plus, all members of Congress and their staffs have been invited to receive a spinal screening and chiropractic adjustment. Published and publicized, in the Journal of Vertebral Sitbliixation Research (JVSR). a research report by Dr. Erin Elster on chi ropractic and multiple sclerosis, which drew more attention from reporters than any other health news on the top health news ser vice. The press release was accessed more than 1.853 times, there alone! Developed and submitted a pro posed Veterans Affairs directive, that included language agreed on by the WCA, ACA and ICA. with the same language as in the House Concurrent Resolution 46 and the ICA recommendations for establishing a Division of Chiropractic Services. The pro posal specifically states that chi ropractic care includes diagnosis, correction, and management of either vertebral subluxations or neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Began conducting a survey to ascertain DCs' opinions on sever al critical issues facing the pro fession. Over the next few months, thousands of doctors will be personally contacted for their input and views. Took a more prominent role in world health affairs, with WCA Board member, Christopher Kent. DC"s election as chairman of the NGO Health Committee. In 1998. the WCA was granted status as an NGO(Non-govern- mental Organization) associated with the United Nations Depart ment of Public Information. For details on these and other stories, visit the World Chiropractic Alliance website at www.worldchiropractical-liance.org.n Editor's note: TAC encourages you to contact and participate with the national associations that support you!
