The date was April 29^th, 2004, and it now stands as the largest gathering of chiropractors to ever bring the message of chiropractic to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.  Nearly  six hundred chiropractors, chiropractic students, staff, family and patients descended upon Washington D.C. for the inaugural Coalition Legislative Day.  Through the combined efforts of the International Chiropractors Association, the World Chiropractic Alliance and the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations, the chiropractic profession made a great step forward in its effort to advance the profession through legislative action.
[ ICA President Dr. CJ Mertz (left) with Sen. Ted Kennedy

“Now, more than ever, cooperative effort amongst all chiropractic organizations is necessary to protect and promote the chiropractic profession, and to expand the profession’s role in public programs and public health policy,” said ICA Legislative Committee Chairman Dr. Michael S. McLean.  “The three Coalition partners (ICA, WCA, FSCO) have now demonstrated how small differences can be put aside so that the entire profession can flourish and prosper. Legislative Day 2004 was a resounding success, not just because of the numbers but because of the resolve, insight and energy it demonstrates on the part of so many in the chiropractic profession.”

The Coalition Legislative Day included the participation of a lengthy list of legislative leaders from both sides of the political aisle, and began with a keynote address by Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy.  Chiropractic legislative champions including Representatives Donald Manzullo, Bob Filner and Edward Shrock made compelling presentations on behalf of key legislative initiatives.  This event was an outstanding success as members of the Coalition contacted almost every Member of the House and Senate.

A major focus of the Coalition legislative effort was HR 3476, the new TRICARE initiative.  Rep. Ed Schrock spoke to the overflow crowd on April 29^th, thanking all present for “fulfilling their rights and responsibilities as citizens by meeting directly with those who pass the nation’s laws”.  He also encouraged everyone in the chiropractic profession to support HR 3476, legislation that would extend chiropractic benefits to military dependents and retirees through the federal TRICARE program.  This important federal program is the last major federal healthcare program that does not offer chiropractic services to its beneficiaries, and HR 3476 would correct this inequity.

Legislative Day events included a gala luncheon in the US Capitol, at which Dr. John Barth, Director of Accreditation and State Liaison of the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), addressed the crowd on the role of the USDE in regulating the accreditation process and the procedures by which such accrediting bodies obtain federal recognition. 

Legislative Day participants were also presented with a personalized appreciation certificate, and encouraged to display this colorful document in their waiting rooms so that patients could see that their chiropractor was in Washington, working on behalf of their health care choices.  “If only one half of the more than 600 participants display their certificates, no less than 10,000 patients saw them in just one day, on the Monday following the conference,” said Dr. McLean.  “This in itself is a powerful outreach tool because it provided a basis for DCs to talk with their patients about legislative issues, and will help mobilize patient power on behalf of the Coalition legislative agenda.”

Plans are now underway for a bigger and more far reaching 2005 event.  “The energy and seriousness of the 2004 event represent a powerful springboard for next year,” said Dr. McLean.  “The Chiropractic Coalition is an open, inclusive effort in which all DCs are not just welcome, but wanted,” Dr. McLean said.

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For More Information, Contact the International Chiropractors Association,  chiro@chiropractic.org or visit the ICA website at www.chiropractic.org. 
 
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