FW: News You Can Use by Dr. Overland

[Guest guest]

F.Y.I., from the ACA….Vern Saboe From: American Chiropractic Association Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 3:28 PMTo: vsaboe@...Subject: News You Can Use by Dr. Overland Having trouble viewing this email? Click here Dear ACA members and partners, This weekend many of us will spend time with family and friends. It will be a time for enjoying BBQs, sunshine (hopefully) and the mountains, lakes, oceans and valleys of our beautiful country. Yet as we participate in these special moments, we also must remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that the rest of us could enjoy them. Please take the time to go to your community Memorial Day parade. Shake the hands of our veterans. Thank them for all they have done. They are the few who have given much for the rest of us. Over the past 10 years, ACA has placed a high priority on increasing patient access to doctors of chiropractic in the Department of Defense and Veterans health care systems. I believe most would agree that while it has been slow we have made great strides. As a result of our efforts, federal law requires all veterans to have access to the services provided by a doctor of chiropractic, and there are currently DCs working at 42 VA medical centers around the country. In addition, more than 75 doctors of chiropractic serve at 60 military (Dept. of Defense) facilities around the world. With the concerns surrounding the overuse of prescription pain medication throughout the military and VA systems, our legislators are again considering increasing the utilization of our services. A few months ago, the Senate asked that more DCs be allowed to participate in DoD programs and, just last week, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services included strong, pro-chiropractic language in its committee report for the fiscal year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. The report calls for the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a study on wage rates for DCs. The study findings are to then be submitted to Senate and House committees on armed services by April 1, 2013.This language was included as the committee became concerned that DCs were not being compensated with similar wage rates compared with providers with equal or even lesser skills and training. ACA is committed to working with all branches of the military and VA systems to ensure that the services of doctors of chiropractic are available anywhere in the world to men and women who serve our great country. To underscore the high priority this work has had for ACA, our very own Immediate Past President Rick Mc, DC, was honored this past week by the Vietnam Veterans of America Organization. He had this to say about the experience, " Several awards were presented and it was my great honor to be one of the recipients. I received the Veterans' Advocate of the Year Award. After the awards, their entertainer sang 'I'm Proud to Be an American' with everyone singing along. It was one of those moments in my life that I will long remember. " Rick, THANK YOU for all of your incredible service to not only our veterans but every patient you have impacted by your many years of volunteer work in Ohio and around the world!In other news: This week I taped a 4 minute video for new members explaining some of our best member benefits. Some of us who have been members for years may forget the many benefits ACA offers. It's a great idea to just take a look at the ACA website and dig around. I am certain you will find something that will be useful to your practice. Do notice the " Healthy Living " patient education fact sheets (there's more than 70), which you can download and distribute in the office and at community events, as well as our sample insurance forms and template letters in the Practice Resource Center. I also want to remind you that ACA has a rather extensive CA membership program. The best part is that it is FREE with your general membership. Check out this podcast about the resources available to chiropractic assistants (CAs) with their free ACA membership. CAs have unlimited access to Medicare and coding information, insurance support, discounted clinical products and many other practice management tools that benefit the day-to-day operations of a practice. If your CA is not already signed up, visit our website and download a CA application. While the Supreme Court is debating its position on the constitutionality of the health care reform legislation, most states are continuing to put " meat " on the skeleton of their individual programs. In fact, state advisory committees and task forces are actively determining what coverage will be offered. There are lots of questions still to be answered: Will mandates be part of essential health benefits? Will nurses, PTs or chiropractic doctors be used to help fill the workforce shortage of primary care providers? What percentage of uninsured will be covered in an expanded Medicaid system? How extensive will wellness and prevention be covered and promoted? As these questions are debated in your state consider whether there is a chiropractic voice at the table. If not, the chances increase that chiropractic doctors will have a limited role. Please make it a priority to have a DC included in the process. For example, I was very happy to learn this week that Mc, DC, has been appointed to the advisory panel of Vermont's Green Mountain Care Board to assist with health care reform. Vermont is considering moving toward a one-payer system and they are looking for input. In Washington this past weekend, ACA's Finance Committee met to discuss the 2013 budget. In my opinion, our staff and volunteers produced a budget that we all can be proud of. They have maintained and enhanced the important member services you have come to expect and added some new opportunities for improved government relations, insurance and communications activities. You are going to see a new and exciting--as well as lean and mean--ACA coming your way in 2013! Lastly, I want to share with you another one of our corporate partner opportunities: AGIA, which is ranked among the best in the insurance business. ACA has wored with AGIA to develop some great deals for you. Take a look and see how ACA's Group Term Life Insurance Program can provide needed financial assistance to your family in times of need. The program offers you coverage options ranging from $10,000 to $500,000. I want to wish you and yours a very safe, healthy and enjoyable Memorial Day holiday! Warmest regards, Overland, DC, CCSP, FICCPresident, American Chiropractic Association Forward emailThis email was sent to vsaboe@... by memberinfo@... | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.The American Chiropractic Association | 1701 Clarendon Blvd. | 1701 Clarendon Blvd. | Arlington | VA | 22209