The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified manufacturers of fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs that a Boxed Warning in the product labeling concerning the increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture is necessary. Through its new authority under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA), the agency also determined that it is necessary for manufacturers of the drugs to provide a Medication Guide to patients about possible side effects. The FDA has notified the manufacturers of these drugs that a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) is necessary to ensure that the benefits of the drug outweigh the risks. The Medication Guide will be considered to be an element of the REMS. The new Boxed Warning and Medication Guide would strengthen warning information already included in product labeling for the fluoroquinolone class of systemic antimicrobial drugs. Fluoroquinolones are drugs approved for the treatment or prevention of certain bacterial infections. Like other antibacterial drugs, fluoroquinolones do not treat viral infections such as colds or flu. "Fluoroquinolones are effective in treating certain bacterial infections, but health care professionals and patients need to be aware of the increased risk associated with the use of these drugs of developing tendinitis and tendon rupture, particularly for certain patient populations," said Edward Cox, M.D., director, Office of Antimicrobial Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "The FDA believes it is important to highlight and strengthen information regarding possible side effects of fluoroquinolones because it may affect decisions about the relative risks and benefits associated with these products." The FDA has conducted a new analysis of the available literature and post-marketing adverse event reports. This new analysisreconfirmsthat use of fluoroquinolones is associated with an increased risk of tendon rupture. It alsodemonstrates that despite the current warning of tendon rupture in the labeling for the fluoroquinolones, large numbers of tendon-related adverse events continue to be reported. The FDA considers this new analysis to be "new safety information" as defined in FDAAA. The FDA also issued Information for Health Care Professionals today to alert health care professionals to the increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in patients taking these drugs and to highlight new information concerning who may be at higher risk for this side effect. The risk of developing fluoroquinolone-associated tendinitis and tendon rupture is further increased in people older than 60, in those taking corticosteroid drugs, and in kidney, heart, and lung transplant recipients. Patients experiencing pain, swelling, inflammation of a tendon or tendon rupture should be advised to stop taking their fluoroquinolone medication and to contact their health care professional promptly about changing their antimicrobial therapy. Patients should also avoid exercise and using the affected area at the first sign of tendon pain, swelling, or inflammation. Manufacturers are being notified of the need to change labeling so that all of the drugs in the class carry uniform updated warning language. These warnings would apply to fluoroquinolones for systemic use (e.g., pills, tablets, capsules and injectable formulations). The warnings would not apply to fluoroquinolones for topical ophthalmic or otic use (e.g., eye and ear drops). Fluoroquinolone manufacturers are required to submit the safety labeling changes, including the strengthened warnings and the Medication Guide, to the FDA within 30 days, or to provide a reason why they do not believe such labeling changes are necessary. If they do not submit new language, or the FDA disagrees with the new language the company proposes, FDAAA provides strict timelines for resolving the labeling changes and allows the agency to issue an order directing the labeling change as deemed appropriate to address the new safety information. In addition, in accordance with FDAAA, sponsors will be required to assess whether their REMS are achieving the goal of informing patients of the risk of tendon-rupture. These assessments may include a survey of patients' and prescribers' understanding of the risks of tendon-rupture and whether the Medication Guide is being distributed and dispensed with the drug. Health care professionals should consider the potential benefits and risks for each patient. While most patients tolerate these medicines well, occasionally some will develop other serious adverse reactions that may include convulsions, hallucinations, depression, abnormalities in heart rhythm, or severe diarrhea. The medications involved in this action are: Cipro and generic ciprofloxacin, Cipro XR and Proquin XR (ciprofloxacin extended release), Factive (gemifloxacin), Levaquin (levofloxacin), Avelox (moxifloxacin), Noroxin (norfloxacin), and Floxin and generic ofloxacin. Information for Healthcare Professionals on Fluoroquinolone Antimicrobial Drugs:

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) today announced it has mailed copies of a report issued by the Task Force on Neck Pain and its Associated Disorders to more than 16,600 neurologists across the country. The seven-year, international, multidisciplinary study was published in the journal Spine and is designed to help health professionals apply the best available evidence to prevent, diagnose and manage neck pain. In the cover letter accompanying the study, ACA President Glenn Manceaux, DC, noted that ACA encourages evidence-based clinical practice and interprofessional cooperation in patient care. “There is growth in the referral of patients between chiropractors and neurologists and therefore, it is important that all practioners be on the same page regarding the most current research in treating this pervasive condition,” Dr. Manceaux said. In distributing the study findings, ACA worked closely with NCMIC, the nation’s leading provider of chiropractic malpractice insurance for doctors of chiropractic. The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and its Associated Disorders considered almost 32,000 citations and performed critical appraisals of more than 1,000 studies in developing its 236-page report. The Task Force is an independent research group recognized by the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Task Force researchers found that some alternative therapies such as acupuncture, neck manipulation and massage are better choices for managing most common neck pain than many current practices. Also included in the short-list of best options for relief are exercises, education, neck mobilization, low-level laser therapy and pain relievers. In addition to its comprehensive review of the existing body of research on neck pain, the Task Force also initiated a new population-based, case-control and case-crossover study into the association between chiropractic care and vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) stroke. This Canadian study investigated associations between chiropractic visits and vertebrobasilar artery stroke and compared this with visits to primary care physicians and the occurrence of VBA stroke. The study — which analyzed a total of 818 cases of VBA stroke admitted to Ontario hospitals over a 9-year period (more than 100 million patient-years of observation) — concluded that VBA stroke is a very rare event and that the risk of VBA stroke associated with a visit to a chiropractor’s office appears to be no different from the risk of VBA stroke following a visit to a family physician’s office. To access the “Best Evidence Synthesis on Neck Pain: Findings” from The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders, click here .

The neglect or failure of a carrier or self–insured employer to pay awards for medical bills in a timely manner has a significant impact on the ability of all injured workers to obtain effective and immediate treatment, as it discourages health care providers from seeking or retaining authorization to treat workers' compensation claimants. Additionally, it may result in the health care provider seeking direct payment from the claimant, despite the statutory prohibition against direct payments. A claimant's ability to obtain proper medical treatment expeditiously not only benefits the claimant, but also results in lower medical costs for employers. Claimants who receive prompt and proper attention are more likely to be able to return to work swiftly and less likely to have long term disabling conditions. The integrity of the workers' compensation system is compromised when carriers and self–insured employers do not meet their legal obligations to pay awards. The Board has received an increasing number of complaints by health care providers that bills rendered for the treatment and care of workers' compensation claimants are not being paid in a timely manner. In particular, providers are concerned that bills are not paid in many instances even after issuance of an administrative and/or arbitration award by the Board. Further, concern has been expressed that some bills are automatically rejected by the carrier due solely to a carrier's policy against paying bills for certain specific coded procedures, regardless of the apparent medical necessity for such treatments. It is the Board's intent that health care provider bills be paid in a timely manner after the carrier or self–insured employer has had a full and fair opportunity to contest the compensability or value of the bills if it elects to do so. Further, effective March 13, 2007, the Workers' Compensation Law, § 54–b was amended to authorize the Chair (or the Chair's designee) to issue a consent to file judgment when a carrier, self–insured employer or the State Insurance Fund fails to pay indemnity or medical benefits to a claimant or medical provider. Failure or neglect to pay awards for medical bills will be subject to judgment collection. In any case where the insurance carrier or self–insured employer has failed to make timely payments after an administrative or arbitration award and all appeals have been exhausted or no timely appeal has been taken, the health care provider may also seek to enter judgment for payment, pursuant to Workers' Compensation Law § 54–b. Workers' Compensation Law § 54–b specifically provides that in the event an employer or insurance carrier defaults in the payment of an award and/or an award of benefits made by the Board, any party to an award may, with the Chair's consent, file for judgment against the employer with the county clerk for the county in which the injury occurred or the county in which the employer has its principal place of business. Workers' Compensation Board authorized providers seeking payment of administrative and/or arbitration awards made on or after March 13, 2007 are asked to submit Form HP-J1, Provider's Request for Judgment of Award and to enclose a copy of the original award(s) issued. In order to allow for billing cycle payments, please allow 60 days after issuance of the administrative and/or arbitration award prior to requesting judgment. Send requests to: Workers' Compensation Board Bureau of Health Management Office of Health Provider Administration 100 Broadway – Menands Albany, NY 12241 The continued viability of the workers' compensation system is substantially dependent upon voluntary compliance of all parties with the Workers' Compensation Law, rules and regulations of the Board, and legal responsibilities imposed upon the parties. The Board remains committed to reducing adjudicatory delay and costs to all participants in the system. Self–insured employers and workers' compensation insurance carriers can contribute significantly to adjudication reform measures instituted by the Governor, the Legislature and the Board by meeting its obligations without the need to resort to extraordinary enforcement measures. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Health Provider Administration at 1-800-781-2362. Zachary S. Weiss Chair

Palmer College of Chiropractic officials have announced the positive outcome of the lawsuit filed against the former Palmer alumni association and the members of its executive committee. This defamation of character lawsuit was based on untrue statements and character attacks made in 2004 against members of the Palmer Board of Trustees, the College and the administration. On Thursday, June 26, an agreement was reached with the seven members of the former alumni association. The settlement agreement allowed the College to dismiss its defamation of character lawsuit against those individuals. “All we’ve ever asked is that these individuals issue an apology to members of the Palmer Board of Trustees as well as the College administration, and we would dismiss the lawsuit,” said Palmer Board of Trustees Chairman Trevor Ireland, D.C. “The Board’s intention in filing the lawsuit was to have the record set straight. As a Board, we held fast on our position that we would dismiss the lawsuit as soon as these individuals issued a public apology and admitted that their comments pertaining to the Palmer Board of Trustees, its members and the College administration were not true. We are very pleased with this outcome.” On June 26, the alumni—John Willis, D.C., David Reopelle, D.C., Ted Conger, D.C., Kirk Lee, D.C., Marc Leuenberg, D.C., Frank Bemis, D.C., and Scott Harris, D.C.—issued a collective public apology to the Board, the College and the administration. The Board accepted the apology and retraction, and the lawsuit was then dismissed. The apology and retraction from the named alumni is as follows: “We acknowledge that this situation has developed into something entirely different from anything we desire. We certainly do not now, nor have ever, wanted to harm Vickie Palmer or Palmer College or impugn their reputation in any manner. We apologize for any comments or actions which Vickie Palmer or Palmer College may have deemed offensive to them. We acknowledge that Vickie Anne Palmer has received nothing from Palmer College except for expense reimbursements in connection with her services as a trustee and chairperson of the board of trustees. In addition, we fully understand the governing structure of Palmer College of Chiropractic. The board of trustees makes and has always made the substantive policy decisions. Such decisions are not made by administrative personnel. We believed we exercised our First Amendment Rights. If we exceeded our Constitutional rights, we apologize. We apologize for the inconvenience and injured feelings Ms. Palmer and the trustees may have undergone.” “I am very pleased that Palmer was able to dismiss the lawsuit against these individuals,” said Palmer Chancellor Larry Patten. “I am extremely proud of the Palmer Board of Trustees for its firm position relating to those who may choose to wrongfully denounce our people and our purpose. We appreciate the public apology. We are happy to have this matter behind us so that we can devote all of our energies and attention to moving the College forward.”

Given the failed efforts by Congress to avoid the looming cuts to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule slated to take effect Tuesday, July 1, 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has intervened. The Agency announced that they would essentially freeze the Fee Schedule at its current levels for a period of ten days. That allows Congress three days to address the matter once they return from recess for the July 4th Holiday. Thank you to all of the ACA members who contacted your Members of Congress to request action. We will continue to keep you updated on any future action on legislation to address these draconian cuts.

Despite the aggressive efforts by ACA and its members, after multiple attempts by Congress, no agreement could be reached on legislation to avoid the looming cuts to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The 10.6% across-the-board cut will go into effect on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. Doctors of chiropractic are urged to contact their local Medicare contractor or visit their carrier’s website for the most up to date information. Although the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation (355-59) earlier this week that would continue the Fee Schedule at its current levels through the end of the year, supporters in the Senate fell one vote short of overcoming a Republican filibuster. Leadership in the Senate has promised that they will revisit the issue when they return from next week’s recess for the Fourth of July Holiday. It is believed that any fix to be implemented would be retroactive to restore payments and compensate for the cuts. Some providers may wish to hold their claims until Congress acts to readjust the fee schedule. Thank you to all of the ACA members who contacted your Members of Congress to request action. We will continue to keep you updated on any future action on legislation to address these draconian cuts.

US Senate fails to pass a bill that would cancel the 10 percent cut scheduled to occur on Tuesday July 1, 2008. The bill would increase Medicare payments to doctors by 1.1 percent in January and cancel the 10 percent cut scheduled to occur on Tuesday. The President threatened to veto the bill, because it would reduce federal payments to private insurance plans, like UnitedHealth, Humana and Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans.

AUBURN - Auburn University researchers have found that wearing thong-style flip-flops can result in sore feet, ankles and legs. The research team, led by biomechanics doctoral student Justin Shroyer, presented its findings at the recent annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Indianapolis. “We found that when people walk in flip-flops, they alter their gait, which can result in problems and pain from the foot up into the hips and lower back,” Shroyer said. “Variations like this at the foot can result in changes up the kinetic chain, which in this case can extend upward in the wearer’s body.” The researchers, in the AU College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology, recruited 39 college-age men and women for the study. Participants, wearing thong-style flip-flops and then traditional athletic shoes, walked a platform that measured vertical force as the walkers’ feet hit the ground. In addition, a video camcorder measured stride length and limb angles. Shroyer’s team, under the direction of Dr. Wendi Weimar, associate professor of biomechanics and director of the department’s Biomechanics Laboratory, found that flip-flop wearers took shorter steps and that their heels hit the ground with less vertical force than when the same walkers wore athletic shoes. When wearing flip-flops, the study participants did not bring their toes up as much during the leg’s swing phase, resulting in a larger ankle angle and shorter stride length, possibly because they tended to grip the flip-flops with their toes. Shroyer, who owns two pairs of flip-flops himself, said the research does not suggest that people should never wear flip-flops. They can be worn to provide short-term benefits such as helping beach-goers avoid sandy shoes or giving athletes post-game relief from their athletic shoes, but are not designed to properly support the foot and ankle during all-day wear, and, like athletics shoes, should be replaced every three to four months. “Flip-flops are a mainstay for students on college campuses but they’re just not designed for that kind of use,” he said. The study included thong-style flip-flops from well-known retailers and manufacturers and ranged in price from $5 to $50. Athletic shoes included in the study also ranged in price and style. Shroyer’s interest in flip-flops has other footwear applications, as well as applications in other areas of biomechanics research. He will apply conclusions from the flip-flop study to his dissertation research on specialty athletics shoes and how they support the foot and aid in biomechanic performance.

The New York State Chiropractic Association is proud to announce the May 2008 election results. The individuals below are elected to the Board of Directors: Lloyd M. Angel, DC – NYSCA District 6 Steven Breines, DC* – NYSCA District 5 Robert Brown, DC – NYSCA District 16 David L. Heffer, DC* – NYSCA District 15 James Hildebrand, DC* – NYSCA District 15 Janusz R. Richards, DC – NYSCA District 8 (* serving for a 2nd term) The new Directors will assume their elected office on June 1, 2008. NYSCA thanks all the candidates that participated in this year’s election and congratulation to the winners.

37,000 Small Businesses in New York Will Receive Payments Refund Points to Need for Insurance Law Reform Governor David A. Paterson and New York State Insurance Department Superintendent Eric Dinallo today announced that Oxford Health Insurance, Inc. has agreed to refund $50 million to approximately 37,000 small businesses in New York City, Long Island and the northern suburbs for overcharging on health insurance policies in 2006. The refund highlights the need for legislation to reinstate the Insurance Department’s authority to approve rate increases before they go into effect, something the Insurance Department is pursuing this legislative session. Prior to 1996, the New York State Insurance Department had the authority to pre-approve rate increases for health insurance, a process that helped keep rates relatively stable for decades. Since the law was changed to eliminate the Insurance Department’s prior approval authority, the Department has only been able to look at the rate increases a year after they take effect. For more than a decade the only consequence for excessive rate charges has been repayment in subsequent years. “We must make New York a good place to do business by keeping costs competitive. We know that small businesses are the engine of growth in this State and the rising cost of health insurance is one of their major complaints,” said Governor Paterson. “If it can help protect business and keep premium rates down for New Yorkers, we should update the laws to give the Insurance Department more oversight.” Superintendent Dinallo said: “I am pleased that the Department was able to get these refunds for small businesses. But an after-the-fact settlement in 2008 does nothing for those businesses that may have had to drop coverage in 2006 because they could not afford a larger than necessary premium increase. These refunds would be unnecessary if the NYS Insurance Department had the authority to pre-approve rate increases for health insurance premiums. Requiring health plans to get approval from the Department before increasing rates would help keep New Yorkers insured. Lawmakers should restore to the Department the tools to better monitor and manage the marketplace for health insurance rates.” The $50 million settlement will be paid to 36,746 small business policyholders with approximately 300,000 employees and family members. The refund will vary depending on the number of covered individuals. It amounts to an average of $1,360 per business, which is about 5.5 percent of the total average annual premium in 2006. The Insurance Department initiated a review after Oxford reported to the Department that Oxford’s loss ratio for small group policies in 2006 was below the 75 percent minimum. Oxford paid benefits equal to 70.58 percent of its overall premiums in 2006. The vast majority of health insurers, like Oxford in this case, raise premium rates without first getting approval from the Insurance Department by utilizing a “file and use” procedure. If a health insurer using this method does not pay benefits equal to at least 75 percent of overall premiums in a calendar year, the insurer must refund the excess premium to policyholders in the form of cash payments or credits against future premiums. Superintendent Dinallo also said: “Oxford did the right thing in working with the Insurance Department to make sure consumers got their money back. But it is unfortunate the Department lacks the legal authority to pre-approve health insurance premium rate increases and prevent premiums that turn out to be larger than the law allows.” Elisabeth Benjamin, Director of Healthcare Restructuring Initiatives at the Community Service Society of New York, said: “This case just proves the old adage that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. New York needs to revoke the insurance industry’s ‘E-ZPass’ on their ever-increasing rate increases. And the only way to do that is to restore the Insurance Department’s ability to approve rate increases in advance, and with public input.” The settlement affects policyholders of Oxford’s small group Freedom Plan Direct, Freedom Plan Metro and Freedom Plan EPO products. It does not affect Oxford’s small group and direct pay HMO and “point of service” (HMO/POS) policyholders. This case was handled for the Insurance Department by Deputy Superintendent and General Counsel Robert Easton, Deputy Superintendent for Health Troy Oechsner, Assistant Deputy Superintendent for Health John Powell, Deputy Bureau Chief Lou Felice, Chief Actuary Michel Laverdiere, Supervising Insurance Examiner Jim Carroll and Assistant Deputy Superintendent and Counsel Jon Rothblatt.

Late yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5658, (Sec. 704. Chiropractic health care for members on active duty) the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2009, which includes language declaring chiropractic care a standard benefit for all active-duty military personnel. The bill—supported by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC)—also contains language allowing for chiropractic demonstration projects at overseas military locations and clarifies that chiropractic care at U.S. military facilities is to be performed only by a doctor of chiropractic. According to ACA’s department of government relations, this most recent legislation strengthens current law and, if enacted, will increase access to chiropractic care at more facilities worldwide. To date, there is a doctor of chiropractic at 49 military bases around the United States; however, servicemen and women serving overseas do not have access to the chiropractic benefit.

Cleveland Chiropractic College will host an open house on June 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. to celebrate the official opening of its Overland Park Health Center. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Health Center, part of the college’s new 34-acre campus at 10850 Lowell Ave., will take place at 5 p.m. Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III, president, will be joined at the celebration by dignitaries from around the metro area, including Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach. In the college’s state-of-the-art health care facility, interns, under the supervision of licensed doctors of chiropractic, provide chiropractic care and other services to the public. Cleveland also maintains a health center in the Brookside area of Kansas City, Mo., which received more than 40,000 patient visits last year. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the entire campus will take place in October in conjunction with the college’s annual homecoming festivities. For more information on these events, call 913-234-0600.

Abstract Background Back problems are often recurring or chronic. It is therefore not surprising that chiropractors wish to prevent their return or reduce their impact. This is often attempted with a long-term treatment strategy, commonly called maintenance care. However, some aspects of maintenance care are considered controversial. It is therefore relevant to investigate the scientific evidence forming the basis for its use. Objectives: A review of the literature was performed in order to obtain answers to the following questions: What is the exact definition of maintenance care, what are its indications for use, and how is it practised? How common is it that chiropractors support the concept of maintenance care, and how well accepted is it by patients? How frequently is maintenance care used, and what factors are associated with its use? Is maintenance care a clinically valid method of approach, and is it cost-effective for the patient? Results Thirteen original studies were found, in which maintenance care was investigated. The relative paucity of studies, the obvious bias in many of these, the lack of exhaustive information, and the diversity of findings made it impossible to answer any of the questions. Conclusion There is no evidence-based definition of maintenance care and the indications for and nature of its use remain to be clearly stated. It is likely that many chiropractors believe in the usefulness of maintenance care but it seems to be less well accepted by their patients. The prevalence with which maintenance care is used has not been established. Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of maintenance care for various types of conditions are unknown. Therefore, our conclusion is identical to that of a similar review published in 1996, namely that maintenance care is not well researched and that it needs to be investigated from several angles before the method is subjected to a multi-centre trial. Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2008, 16:3doi:10.1186/1746-1340-16-3

On the May 2nd WFAN 66AM Sports Radio Show, Boomer & Carton, hosted by Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton, the topic of discussion was the rib injury suffered by the Yankees pitcher, Phil Hughes. During the discussion, a caller, identifying himself as “Dr. Ron” and a chiropractor in Orange County, NY, attempted to give his explanation about the complexity of the injury and how it could affect his ability to play. However, before this doctor was able to offer an explanation regarding Hughes’ condition, Carton rudely interrupted the doctor and began a long-winded chiropractic bashing, replete with a quack attack that berated the profession and mocked chiropractic education. (To hear the replay go to and listen to the audio clips dated 5/2/08, entitled “ You SIR, are not a doctor ” and 5/9/08 entitled “ Harry Carson.”). After receiving numerous complaints from the NYSCA membership, a letter was crafted by NYSCA President, Dr. Mariangela Penna and Executive Director, Dr. Karl Kranz, chastising Carton for his insulting remarks. This letter was sent to WFAN’s program director and the NYSCA is eagerly awaiting his response. The swift action that the NYSCA took on this matter is just another example of how we are constantly protecting your right to practice chiropractic in this state. The ACA and the NY Chiropractic Council have also voiced their displeasure with Carton’s remarks and chiropractic organizations in adjacent states have been alerted of the talk show host’s potentially libelous remarks. We look forward to continuing to serve you and all of the chiropractors practicing in New York. To see a copy of this letter click on the link below:

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer charged Insurance Dept. Supt. Eric Dinallo to create new medical treatment guidelines. Mr. Bruce Topman was selected as the Chairman of a Workers Compensation Task Force which made recommendations to then Governor Spitzer and Mr. Dinallo in December 2007. The NYSCA has reviewed the Task Force's recommendatiions and questions the headlong rush to adopt medical treatment guidelines. It is the NYSCA’s understanding that the Workers’ Compensation Board is in the process of reviewing the guideline drafts provided by the Department as the Board toils with promulgating the regulations needed to implement the guidelines necessary to meet former Governor Spitzer’s agenda. In anticipation of the forthcoming rules and regulations, the New York State Chiropractic Association (NYSCA) offers the following observations giving voice to the profession’s concerns. The New York Chiropractic Council concurs with the NYSCA analysis and its conclusions. To view the entire NYSCA WC Position Statement click on the link below:

The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) reports on the latest events at NBCE. The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) hosted a number of meetings including Practice Analysis Advisory Committee, Part IV Case Development Committee workshop, and Part IV Standardized Patient Trainers Workshop. To view the full report click on the link below.

GREELEY, Colo.—The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) re-elected officers during the Board’s organizational meeting May 2, 2008 in Atlanta, GA. These officers form the NBCE Executive Committee. Dr. Vernon R. Temple, D.C., (VT) was re-elected to serve as president of the National Board. Dr. Temple is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, and has been in practice in Vermont since 1978. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists. He is a former chairman of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards and has also served as president of the Vermont Board of Chiropractic Examination and Regulation. Dr. N. Edwin Weathersby, D.C., (AZ) was re-elected as NBCE vice president. Dr. Weathersby is a graduate of Western States Chiropractic College and currently owns a multi-disciplinary practice in Glendale, Ariz. He is the past president of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards. He is a past chair of the Arizona Board of Chiropractic Examiners and former vice president and president of the Arizona Association of Chiropractic. In 1993, Theodore J. Scott, D.C., of Kaysville, Utah, was re-elected to serve a second term as District IV director and was re-elected as treasurer of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) during the Annual Meeting on May 2, 2008, in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Scott will serve three years as District IV director, which includes the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah. Dr. Scott has served as chairman of the Utah State Chiropractic Physicians Licensing Board, and was reappointed to this position in 2004 for a four-year term. In addition to his NBCE responsibilities, Dr. Scott maintains a private practice in Layton, Utah. Dr. Scott is a 1978 doctor of chiropractic graduate from Texas Chiropractic College. He served as chairman of the Utah State Professional Standards Committee from 1989 to 2001. Dr. Scott is a past member of the Utah Chiropractic Physicians Association and the past convention chairman for the Utah Chiropractic Association. Dr. Mary-Ellen Rada, D.C., (NJ) was re-elected as secretary for the NBCE. Dr. Rada is a graduate of Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in Spartanburg, S.C., and has been in practice in New Jersey since 1990. She is the former president and a current member of the New Jersey State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, where she has served since 2000. Headquartered in Greeley, Colo., the NBCE is the international testing organization for the chiropractic profession. Established in 1963, the NBCE develops, administers and scores legally defensible, standardized written and practical examinations for candidates seeking chiropractic licensure throughout the United States and in many foreign countries.

The American Chiropractic Association today announced that it has sent a letter to state chiropractic licensing boards urging them to ramp up continuing education programs aimed at improving Medicare documentation and reducing the number of claims errors. In a letter dated April 4, ACA President Glenn Manceaux, DC, noted that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is scheduled to issue a special report to the U.S. Congress in 2009 detailing the results of the Medicare Chiropractic Demonstration Project. ACA fears that continued high claims error rates will be used as an argument to thwart efforts to allow chiropractors to provide additional services under Medicare, even if results from the demonstration project are favorable. “It is abundantly clear that unless we can convincingly demonstrate that our profession has put into place various educational and training programs, along with policies and requirements that will collectively lead to a significant reduction in Medicare claims errors, then the U.S. Congress will likely reject any proposals allowing DCs to provide additional services within Medicare,” Dr. Manceaux wrote. ACA is also anticipating the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to soon issue a follow-up to its 2005 report on chiropractic documentation. The 2005 OIG Report, which was based on a random sampling of claims data from 2001, concluded that 67 percent of the claims examined as part of the study contained documentation errors or omissions that led to what the OIG considered to be inappropriate reimbursement under Medicare. “ACA is fully prepared to wage an intensive battle to secure expanded and permanent chiropractic benefits under the Medicare program; however, we need the support of every chiropractic organization and every chiropractic office across the country,” Dr. Manceaux said. To read ACA’s letter to the state chiropractic licensing boards, click on the link below:

Seneca Falls, NY: New York Chiropractic College conferred the Doctor of Chiropractic degree upon 48 graduates on Saturday, April 5, 2008, during a commencement ceremony held in the NYCC campus Athletic Center. The commencement address was delivered by Congressman Michael Arcuri, JD, BA, a native of Utica, NY and strong advocate for higher education. Arcuri stressed the importance of providing service to one’s community and he urged the assembled professional graduates to contribute their talents, time and good fortune to worthy causes. Matthew A. Murphy, valedictorian, addressed his classmates. Salutatorian was Brian M. LaBaron. Among those honored at the commencement exercises through induction as fellows into the American College of Chiropractic included Jack Stuart Beige, DC, JD (NYCC 1966), past president of the New York State Chiropractic Association, Matthew C. Coté, DC, DABCO (NYCC 1980) Senior Faculty Clinician at NYCC’s Depew Health Center, Joseph J. Lombino, DC (NYCC1981) and Diane Carol Dixon, Executive Director of Enrollment Management at NYCC was presented with a Doctor of Humane Letters Honoris Causa. Thomas R. Ventimiglia, DC, FACC (NYCC 1980), Director of NYCC’s Post Graduate and Continuing Education, was inducted as a Fellow into the International College of Chiropractic. For information on New York Chiropractic College’s degree programs please visit the college’s Web site at: