Chiropractic Scope Modernization Bill Introduced to New York Legislature

 

The New York State Chiropractic Association and the New York Chiropractic Council are pleased to announce that both state organizations have jointly submitted a draft Chiropractic Scope Modernization Bill to the Legislature. We anticipate that bill numbers and sponsor details will be available shortly, and we will share those as soon as we have them.

The Council and NYSCA have negotiated draft language that allowed us to introduce the bill before the end of this legislative session so that we can begin to have meaningful and productive conversations with members of the legislature as well as the other professions.

The bill text has been posted to both the NYSCA and the Council’s websites. We ask that you please visit one of these sites and review the draft. We encourage all feedback and thoughts. As you review it, please remember that this draft reflects many conversations and compromises from both groups, as well as other stakeholders, and from individual members of each group’s respective scope of practice committees. This initial draft strives to represent the breadth of chiropractic while respecting its foundation. We hope that you will review this draft and realize that it is a modernization of our scope that allows doctors of chiropractic to practice to the best of their training. We recognize the political realities of NYS and what we might be able to expect the legislature to pass.

One of the main reasons we wanted to get the bill introduced now is that real conversations on the bill could not start until there was a draft in hand. Now that we have this bill draft, we can begin to gather feedback from legislators, staff, the State Board, and continue conversations with the Colleges and other stakeholders. This will allow us to see what issues others may have with scope modernization and this draft in particular. As our legislative counsel has informed us numerous times, what we have introduced is far from the final product. There will likely be many changes to the legislation as other stakeholders weigh in. Further, our counsel has informed us that getting a scope of practice change is an effort that is going to take many years, and the longer we waited to get the bill introduced, the longer we pushed out the timeline for final enactment of any scope modernization bill.

NYSCA Immediate Past President Louis Lupinacci and Council President John LaMonicaWe are pleased that this bill has the support of both organizations, and we will continue to work on this draft as changes occur to ensure the final legislation protects all viewpoints within chiropractic and serves the breadth of our profession. We are grateful to all the stakeholders who provided feedback - especially the leaders and past leaders of both organizations, dedicated committee chairs, and Executive Directors. A special thank you to the NYSCA Immediate Past President Louis Lupinacci and Council President John LaMonica, who have been instrumental in ensuring that a compromise was reached between both associations on this issue. We feel that the introduction of this legislation is especially well-timed and necessary, considering the current challenges in Texas, our current DOT issue in NY, and the changes in the landscape of healthcare and reimbursement models including ACO’s and PCMH’s.

In this bill, we have aimed to create an updated scope that matches our current level of education. We have been very clear in our attempt to keep chiropractic drug-free and surgery free. Our efforts to modernize scope have sought to include philosophical practice and the subluxation while also allowing evidenced-based treatment of specific conditions. The bill contains language for those chiropractors with specialty practices including electro-diagnostics, extremities, nutrition, DOT physicals and MUA. The intent of including each of these different viewpoints and practice styles, is to be sure we embrace and celebrate each without excluding the other.

We appreciate the enthusiasm the profession has shared for this undertaking and look forward to your continued support as this process moves forward towards a modernized scope of practice and a brighter future for the Chiropractic profession in New York.


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The New York State Chiropractic Association, based in Niskayuna NY is the oldest and largest professional association in New York State representing Doctors of Chiropractic. The NYSCA provides a unified voice to protect and advocate for Doctors of Chiropractic, chiropractic patients and the chiropractic profession. It promotes and pursues excellence in all aspects of chiropractic practice and leads the profession in establishing chiropractic care as the healthcare service of choice for people in the pursuit of wellness and the optimization of health. Visit us at www.NYSCA.com and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

 

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