Sexual misconduct can be the basis of a charge of professional misconduct. Increasingly across many health professions, including chiropractic, patients are filing complaints alleging that licensees have engaged in some form of sexual misconduct. Since the primary techniques of chiropractic care are "hands-on" requiring the practitioner to be in close proximity to the patient's body, you should be aware of and anticipate situations that could be perceived as sexual misconduct, and take measures to prevent them.

In the case of coupons, including Internet coupons, licensed professionals who advertise these discounts should be cautious. Generally speaking, discounts cannot be limited to one segment of your practice without offering the same discount to the rest of your practice. Additionally, the fee you pay for these advertising services may constitute fee splitting. The offering of improper discounts and/or the improper sharing of professional fees may subject a licensee to charges of professional misconduct.

In a competitive practice environment, violations in advertising or soliciting for patients are an increasing concern. While it is common practice for chiropractors to inform the public about the benefits of chiropractic care through media advertising and various promotional activities, you should be well informed about the appropriate use of promotional activities and materials in a professional practice. Generally, licensees must consider the manner in which information is presented to ensure it is not false, fraudulent, deceptive or misleading.

Filmmaker and NCLC guest speaker Jeff Hayes is in the process of putting the finishing touches on his latest documentary, "Medical Inc." The film examines the history surrounding the American Medical Association's conspiracy against the chiropractic profession--which ultimately led to the Wilk vs. AMA trial--and dissects the current medical monopoly  and its efforts to suppress complementary and alternative care. With more than 80 interviews conducted and first-hand accounts from people of various backgrounds and professions, this film is certain to shed new light on how important chiropractic services are to the health and well-being of the public. To see a sneak preview of the film and learn how you can play an active role in the anticipated September release of this documentary.

This week, ACA President Dr. Keith Overland was quoted in a story on FoxNews.com about the benefits of the services provided by doctors of chiropractic. The articles cites research from the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics that found that an integrated approach to health care--including chiropractic care--results in a 51.8 percent reduction in pharmaceutical costs and 43 percent fewer hospital admissions.

To view the full story click on the link below.

Arlington, Va.-- The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) today announced that Michael Simone, DC, CCSP, FICC, of Dacono, Colo. was elected Chairman of the Board of Governors (BOG). ACA is the world's largest professional association representing doctors of chiropractic.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) mourns the loss of its Chairman of the Board of Governors (BOG) Robert Mastronardi, DC, 60, who passed away yesterday following a battle with cancer.

Profession Can Now Pursue Alleged ERISA Violations   

Seneca Falls:  At New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) commencement exercises held Saturday, March 30, 2012,  Charles C. DuBois, BS, MS, president of the whole foods supplement company, Standard Process, Inc., headquartered in Palmyra, Wisconsin, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his generous philanthropy, his business achievement and for having significantly advanced natural healthcare education, scholarship, and nutritional research - the second such degree conferred in the college’s 90 year history. 

On March 27, we received the following from Senator Schumer's legislative aide, "I apologize for the delay in response but its appropriation season so it has been hectic. I wanted you to know that we signed Senator Schumer as a cosponsor to S. 1147." On February 16th while in Washington, DC attending the ACA National Legislative Conference we visited Capitol Hill with Dr. Bazakos, Dr. Nicchi and NYCC students. We explained to Senator Schumer's legislative aide the importance of obtaining his co-sponsorship of S1147 (see below for issue). This is an exciting and positive step in gaining support for S1147.

Senator Schumer adding his name with his senior and respected status in the Senate, sends a clear message to fellow senators of the importance to support our veterans! Please feel free to send a quick thank you to his office for his co-sponsorship and the importance this bill has in helping one of our most important national treasures...our veterans!

Seneca Falls:  New York Chiropractic College has announced the establishment of an integrated care chiropractic residency program - the first such program to be located at a Veteran’s Health Administration (VHA) facility. Instruction will prepare the College’s chiropractic clinical residents regarding optimal management of patients presenting a diversity of musculoskeletal disorders. New York Chiropractic College had previously been running several academic and research programs at the Canandaigua, NY, site. “The new groundbreaking VA residency program significantly complements the College’s existing offerings there,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Michael Mestan. Residents’ duties will include working alongside the VA system’s established providers and will include rotations with various of specialists in neurology, orthopedics, physiatry, pain management, primary care and physical therapy.  “NYCC is proud to be a leader in instructing chiropractors who will be caring for our nation’s veterans,” Mestan added.

Arlington, Va.-- On Friday, March 16, leaders of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) met with representatives from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and 36 other stakeholder organizations-including FCLB, ICA, IFCO, MCQI, NBCE and the presidents of all U.S. chiropractic colleges-in an effort to improve communication and the transparency of its operations.

ACA Hosts Annual Leadership Meeting in Conjunction with Legislative Conference

Opportunities Look Bright for the Chiropractic Profession
 
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released a bulletin outlining proposed policies that will give states more flexibility and freedom to implement certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). 
 
The HHS proposal describes "an inclusive, affordable and flexible proposal and informs stakeholders about the approach that HHS intends to pursue in rulemaking to define essential health benefits. HHS is releasing this intended approach to give consumers, states, employers and issuers timely information as they work toward establishing Exchanges and making decisions for 2014." This approach was developed with significant input from the public, including ACA's comments provided during the Institute of Medicine hearings, as well as reports from the Department of Labor, and research conducted by HHS. Today's HHS proposal offers for public comment four alternative "benchmark plans" for flexible choice by the states in designing how to meet the new health care reform essential health benefit (EHB) requirements.
 
Although the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) leadership has just begun to analyze the HHS proposal, its first impression is positive for the chiropractic profession. "Overall, this is one of the best outcomes we could achieve," said Keith Overland, DC, president of ACA. "Given that virtually every state has chiropractic services or some sort of insurance equality included among their existing insurance plans; this HHS proposal released today appears to be very good news."
 
ACA understood in 2010 that the health care reform legislation was not likely to include chiropractic services as a named essential benefit. Therefore, its strategy has been to ensure that DCs are able to provide their services under the categories of EHBs included in plans offered through the health exchanges. "We will continue to make our position crystal clear at the highest levels of HHS-that language considered at the federal and state level relative to essential benefits must include the services provided by doctors of chiropractic. Anything less would be a disservice to the millions of Americans that benefit from chiropractic care on a daily basis," said Dr. Overland.
 
ACA and its Chiropractic Summit partners will examine the HHS proposal and, in partnership with the state associations, work to advocate that state governments  choose benchmark plans that include chiropractic services among the EHBs.
 
As projected by ACA, the HHS bulletin allows for public comment before Jan. 31, 2012. It is also expected that HHS will revert to the standard regulatory process on this issue next year, where further opportunity to comment will be available before a final rule is issued.

 
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of patient care and ethics, and supports research that contributes to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit www.acatoday.org.

New York Chiropractic College held commencement exercises Saturday, December 3, 2011, conferring degrees upon 91 candidates for Doctor of Chiropractic.  Graduating student C. Michael Begley addressed his class expressing gratitude to the many people who had helped him along the way.