The News:
During its annual meeting, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) House of Delegates (HOD) reaffirmed a resolution denouncing research programs designed for the purpose of patient solicitation, and approved the formation of a committee to report on quality-of-care issues and treatment protocols that affect access to chiropractic care. ACA Chairman of the Board Lewis J. Bazakos, MS, DC, highlighted several accomplishments from the past year, such as the ACA’s legal action against American Chiropractic Network (ACN), the successful campaign to defeat S 1955, and the expansion of the chiropractic benefit under the federal employee health plan. Bazakos said membership brings in money that allows the ACA to support research, public relations, political action, litigation, and education. He said the ACA will have an ongoing need for funds to continue advancing the profession.

Your Views:
Craig S. Ross, DC, Roseville, Calif, said, “I am not involved in the program for which ACA’s policy denouncing research which may solicit new patients is aimed. However, I followed medical doctors during rounds at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas last month, and on their bulletin boards in the hallways of the hospital and research offices were solicitations of patients for research projects. Why are we so sensitive about trying to get research done in our profession while soliciting patients? If the data is collected and compiled, why does it matter to the ACA that the people in the original research get quality chiropractic care?”

John Michael Gentile, DC, Latham, NY, said, “I am pleased that Dr Lou Bazakos defined the need for more money by the ACA. Yet, whether it is a professional organization such as the ACA or the ICA, the goal is always numbers. Of course, in their case, it converts into research, political action, and a good social attitude. However, we still face the daunting task of ‘measuring up’ to the acceptance by the public as ‘real doctors.’ And, while insurance reimbursement is important at the outset, it is not the answer for a person’s health care or lifestyle of good health. So while the ‘numbers’ go up, let’s not forget that the ‘frontline’ DC desires new and better ways of reaching the population with the message of long-term structural care.”

The News:
The ACA is working with concerned groups and lawmakers in Washington, DC, on two issues that affect Medicare reimbursement, and is pressing for immediate Congressional action.

In a notice released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on June 29 (71 Fed Reg 37170), the results of the required 5-year review of work relative to value units and a revised payment methodology were outlined, relaying significant cuts in reimbursement for many types of health professionals.

These cuts are not only severe, but they are unprecedented for physicians serving Medicare beneficiaries. The cuts are in addition to the scheduled Medicare “sustainable growth rate” (SGR) formula 5.1% payment cut for 2007. Taken together, doctors of chiropractic will face a 13% cut in 2007 alone. The ACA urges DCs to immediately contact their representatives to do two things:

• Ask them to sign the letter crafted by Rep Nancy Johnson (R-Conn), and Rep Benjamin Cardin (D-Md), urging Congress to deal with the SGR; and

• Ask them to delay the implementation of the June 29 proposed rule for at least 1 year and direct the CMS to determine the effect this proposal will have on patient access. For information, go www.acatoday.org/feeschedule.

Your Views:
Irma L. Palmer, DC, Birmingham, Ala, said, “There are ample resources available to support that chiropractic care for the elderly is essential to slow down the effects of aging, increase flexibility, and increase their overall activity and life expectancy. Without chiropractic care, this sector of our population faces an increase of health issues, which will cause an even greater financial burden to an already failing system. A cut now appears as a good idea. However, how would this decision impact the health budget later?”

Michael A. Cocco, DC, Woodbridge, Conn, said, “At this point, I do not accept assignment of Medicare and I charge for all uncovered services up front. The worst thing that could happen is if they got adjunctive therapies covered and we had to abide by the Medicare fee schedule for them. It appears to me that the only way I personally will stay profitable for the rest of my career is to move more and more to a cash practice. It is clear that whether it be Medicare or some other insurance company, they will continue to cut reimbursement until we as individual practitioners just say, No! I consider managed health care to be an investment business—they take from members outrageous premiums only to try every trick in the book that they wrote to keep from paying the doctors that provide honest treatment. It’s time that insurance became just that again and let patients manage their own health care.”