With the specter of imminent national health care reform looming, representatives from all 14 CCE accredited chiropractic colleges, the ACA, ICA, and several state associations, convened in the nation's capital February 24th to form an ad hoc coalition to foster chiropractic. Palmer College of Chiropractic organized the meeting, with Palmer Chancellor Michael E. Crawford chairing the coalition. The coalition members agreed that a broad-based lobbying effort that includes chiropractic patients was necessary. The college representatives agreed to work through their alumni associations to distribute chiropractic advocacy materials and urge their graduates to contact Congress and the Clinton administration. In addition, the chiropractic coalition agreed to work closely with the Arkansas delegation to develop and deliver its message to the administration.
Chiropractors are primary health care providers.
Chiropractors are capable of serving as gatekeepers in managed care systems. Restricting chiropractic care will force consumers to seek less efficient and more costly forms of health care. Limitations placed on chiropractic in a managed care scheme would virtually eliminate chiropractic involvement because of professional bias and ignorance about chiropractic. Future actions of the ad hoc coalition will be coordinated and directed by Chancellor Crawford. Although the health care coalition's strategy is still in the development stages, Mr. Crawford gave assurances that the chiropractic coalition would be heard from.