Predicted Shortfall of Primary Care Doctors Emphasizes the Need for Chiropractic Physicians

Predicted Shortfall of Primary Care Doctors Emphasizes the Need for Chiropractic Physicians

ACA Today, September 2008

The Associated Press reported this week that only two percent of graduating medical students indicated that they plan to work in primary care internal medicine, raising worries on Capitol Hill and beyond about a looming shortage of primary care doctors.  This news comes on the eve of a presidential election where both candidates are featuring health care reform as a key component of their campaign. 
ACA Urges Chiropractic Profession, Patients to Make Voices Heard on Campaign Trail
Active Presence Required to Insure Chiropractic is in Forefront of Healthcare Debate
As the presidential and congressional campaigns begin to heat up, the American Chiropractic Association is asking all doctors of chiropractic, chiropractic patients, and anyone else with an interest in chiropractic care, to become inherently aware of the high stakes associated with this year’s election and to help make chiropractic’s presence known.  Read more here.
Seniors Learn About Chiropractic Care and Participate in Important Study at AARP Convention
Last week, doctors of chiropractic representing ACA and the ACA Council on Neurology exhibited at the AARP "Life at 50+" National Event and Expo in Washington, D.C.  In addition to discussing the benefits of chiropractic care for seniors, they also asked attendees to participate (onsite) in a “Fall Prevention Study” funded by the National Institutes of Health.  The data collected at the ARRP expo will assist researchers in developing strategies to prevent falls.
This conference included more than 26,000 attendees.  ACA greatly appreciates the efforts of the following individuals:  Dr. Tina Bennett (Dallas, Texas), Dr. Julie Bjornson (Palm City, Fla.), Ms. Andréa Bjornson (Austin, Texas), Mr. Nathan Bjornson (Stuart, Fla.), Dr. Frederick Carrick (Cape Canaveral, Fla.), Dr. and Mrs. Donald Handley (San Antonio, Texas), Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Gerard (Mesa, Ariz), Dr. Rosie Kitchiner (London, England), Dr. Aaron Root (San Antonio, Texas), Dr. George Resnick (Plainview, N.Y.), Dr. Fili Talamantez (Brownsville, Texas) and Dr. Paul Toland (London, England).
CIGNA Research:  Sick at Work
Recent research from CIGNA shows that on average, U.S. workers spend between two-and-a-half and five hours each week taking care of health and personal matters while on the job.  Read more...
Reminder: CMS to Host National Provider Call on Quality Reporting
On Thursday, Sept. 18, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a call at 3:30 p.m. (ET) for Medicare providers who wish to learn more about the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).  CMS experts will be discussing components of the recently passed Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), including the 2009 quality reporting measures, and will offer a question-and-answer period.  A PowerPoint presentation will be available for download prior to the call.  For more information, or to register, click here.
ACA Representative Presents to International Association of Special Investigator Units (IASIU)
On Monday, Sept. 8, Dr. Steven Baker gave a presentation to attendees of this year’s International Association of Special Investigator Units (IASIU) annual conference in Atlanta, Ga.  The presentation focused on the role chiropractic regulatory boards play in the chiropractic profession from a legal, ethical and professional perspective.  Dr. Baker also discussed the responsibility of chiropractic boards to protect the consumer/patient.  By focusing on the role of regulatory boards, Dr. Baker demonstrated to investigators the safeguards with which the profession regulates itself to ensure that patients are receiving the best care possible.

Julie Lenhardt, ACA staff member, and Dr. Warren Jahn, education liaison to the College on Forensic Sciences, also attended and were available at the ACA’s exhibit booth to answer questions and provide information to conference attendees.  This year, ACA distributed printed copies of its new resource, Guide for Insurance Professionals, as a reference for attendees to use when reviewing chiropractic cases.

ACA believes that through education and outreach to individuals who perform audits, investigations, and claim reviews, we can help avoid mistaken judgments that may stem from a lack of knowledge about chiropractic care.  The Association greatly appreciates Dr. Baker’s and Dr. Jahn’s willingness to attend this conference, as well as the expertise they provided.

$1,000 Worth of FREE Gas Will Take You a Long Way!
Next week, on Saturday, Sept. 20, ACA-PAC will give away a $1,000 gas gift card at this year's House of Delegates meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Help support the only political action committee dedicated to supporting pro-chiropractic candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.  The winner does not need to be present to win.  Tickets mailed to ACA must be received no later than Friday, Sept. 12.  Tickets will be available on-site during the meeting.  Please click here for your chance to win!