THERE ARE NO "ISLANDS" IN CHIROPRACTIC

How many times have I heard, "Why do I need to be a member of the Indiana State Chiropractic Association? What can they do for me?"

If you are one of these DCs, and you're reading this now, I hope you'll permit me to share my thoughts.  Having been on many health committees and being close to the legislature, I can tell you this:  With the stroke of a pen, a legislator, in any given year, can diminish or enhance your ability to practice.  If not for the vigilance of your state association watchdog group the ISCA-----you could wake up one morning and be unable to take X-rays or treat children, or your patients might be required to get an MD's referral to see you.

Each year, there are other professions and special interest groups that would just as soon eliminate us.  Many times you never even hear about these covert attacks because your Indiana State Chiropractic Association and its lobbyists squashed them before they reached a full-committee deliberation.  Your colleagues who serve as your district and state association representatives know exactly what I am talking about.  

My local legislative delegation often tells me that they know my state association Executive Director very well.  They also know that when she says our profession opposes a particular bill, they will be hearing from me or any one of my fellow colleagues.  The key point is, my state association is my sentry here in Indiana, helping to protect my ability to practice.  

How do you think chiropractic services became available to our soldiers and veterans?  Likewise, as we begin the immense effort to lobby for the expansion of chiropractic scope in Medicare and the inclusion of chiropractic in a national healthcare system, how do you think we will accomplish this?  It begins with the association leadership, a sound strategy and collaboration with other professional stakeholders.  

Running a practice does not allow anyone to become an island unto himself.  At the state level, legislators can change the way we practice---all of us.  Our adversaries are always launching efforts to prevent patients from entering our offices---through laws, rules, policies or negative press.  No practitioner is immune from this.  

Our patients deserve to be able to see us without obstacles.  Our state association, the ISCA, sees to this!!  Don't allow your colleagues to pay for your right to practice.  Get involved!  Share in the excitement as we protect our practices as well as our patients' rights to access chiropractic services.

If you're not an ISCA member, please join. If you are, then speak to a colleague who isn't and ask him or her to join us. Tell the ISCA story!

Always,  

Your President

Dr. Robert Tennant, D.C. F.I.C.C.