The New Year is off to a good start with our newsletter, meetings with Anthem and the Department of Insurance. The Legislative session has brought us some optimism regarding the Assignment of Benefits issue that Mrs. McGuffey will report on with more details. The Legislative Committee has worked hard at the grass roots level in communicating with the members to contact the Senators and Representatives. I thank them and all of you that made calls or emails to the Legislators. We should not forget that the PT issue of direct access has been thwarted again thanks to the staunch support of Senator Ron Alting from Lafayette. We all need to send him a letter or card thanking him for his support of Chiropractic and our issues.

LMV Consulting hosted a Legislative Day on January 22, with a luncheon and program designed to educate the Doctors on the various steps involved in the Legislative process. The procedures to get bills heard in committees, then on the respective Chamber floor, votes to pass a bill and on to the other Chamber to start the process again. It was very informative as we were then taken to the State House to meet with Legislators about our issues and concerns. Those of you that did not attend should make an effort to attend next year.

Our membership committee has been busy in promoting better membership incentives and communications. They are in the process of developing a mentor program for newer members or those that would like assistance. They will be attempting to gather information and update our membership database so if you have changes in addresses, phone, or fax numbers and email addresses please inform the ISCA offices so we may keep current. We are striving to make our newsletter an electronic version to reduce costs as well as make it more efficient so updated email addresses are important. During the transition from our previous management firm, some of last year’s new members have not received their certificates or new member packages. If you or some one you know has not received those items, please contact the ISCA offices so we may rectify that situation. I apologize for this oversight and inconvenience.

It has been over a year ago that the ISCA went through some tumultuous ordeals and I would like to dispel the notion that Chiropractors are their own worst enemy. Your Board of Directors has been very diligent and sensitive in working with me through this past year. They have taken considerable amount of their time and resources in an attempt to provide you with a more productive and active ISCA. They have provided input and discussions about the future of the ISCA and how they feel we should function as a profession. We want your input and assistance in providing services and information that you want and deserve.

I was quite pleased with the attendance at the convention. I would like to thank all that attended the lecturers and especially those that attended the Gala event. I would also like to thank the ISCA staff and LMV Consulting for a job well done especially on the late notice in preparation for the Spring Conference.

Cooperation through the entire profession is a must and at times we all feel downtrodden with audits, reduced fees, network problems and bureaucracy. However, we have to lean on each other for support and be grateful for our many attributes and blessings. Mutual cooperation with the ICAI has been ongoing with communication on Legislative and insurance issues. I feel that we are more “united” than everyone thinks. We just have to acknowledge and trust in what is inevitable if we are to grow as a profession that provides Chiropractic services to our patients.