The Chiropractic Summit

Chiropractic Summit Summit I was held in September 2007; attended by 13 chiropractic organizations; The Chiropractic Summit now has 37 members. Summit is dedicated to collaborating to develop profession-wide solutions to the issues and challenges facing doctors of chiropractic and the patients they serve. Led by Steering Committee with representatives of - ACA- COCSA - ICA- ACC

St. Louis Principles All Summit members pledge to adhere to the St. Louis Principles: – –Respect personal differences in style and substance – –Participate openly and honestly – –Remain true to our decisions and not make promises we can not keep – –Air our differences inside this forum and not in public

St. Louis Principles – –Respect professional differences that can exist within the chiropractic scope and practice as outlined in the ACC paradigm – –Air our differences inside this forum and not in public – –Hold ourselves and each other to the highest standards of accountability and integrity as expected by the members and constituents we represent – –All public communications regarding the Chiropractic Summit require mutual agreement.

Critical Issues Identified At the first Summit, participants identified four issues most critical to the profession. The first was selected as the most critical. – –Medicare reform & National health care reform – –Practice satisfaction, self-esteem and cultural authority – –Profitability/viability of chiropractic practice – –Single mind, single voice through profession- wide collaboration

Summit Focus Medicare Reform and National Health Care Reform… Medicare Reform and National Health Care Reform… that results in full and equitable inclusion of Doctors of Chiropractic and the full spectrum of their professional services/care. that results in full and equitable inclusion of Doctors of Chiropractic and the full spectrum of their professional services/care.

Summit Workgroups The Summit established five workgroups to set action plans to achieve positive health care reform. – –Clinical Documentation – –Communications – –One-Message – –Fundraising & Finance – –Government Relations

Summit Work Groups Summit IV consolidated 2 workgroups (One Message and Communications) into one work group. Summit IV consolidated 2 workgroups (One Message and Communications) into one work group. - Communications - Communications

One Message The One Message Work Group created the ONE MESSAGE, to accomplish Medicare reform. Summit participants agreed unanimously to share the ONE MESSAGE: Freedom of Choice Medicare beneficiaries should have the right to choose and be reimbursed for health care services from doctors of chiropractic without barriers and limitations that unfairly restrict their freedom of choice.

One Message (cont) Benefits Chiropractic care is important in improving function, mobility and quality of life for beneficiaries through the use of conservative methods which reduce reliance on drugs and surgery. Its safety, effectiveness and cost savings are well-supported by scientific evidence. Improved access to healthcare services provided by doctors of chiropractic will assist the Medicare system in responding to emerging challenges due to an aging population, including the shortage of health care providers, and the rising burden of neuromusculoskeletal conditions.

One Message (cont) Legislation Except for the single service of spinal manipulation to correct a vertebral subluxation, Medicare currently does not provide reimbursement to beneficiaries for otherwise covered services when those services are provided by a doctor of chiropractic. Legislation should provide reimbursement to beneficiaries for the full range of currently covered health care services when provided by doctors of chiropractic consistent with state law.

Summit Members American Chiropractic Association Association of Chiropractic Colleges Breakthrough Coaching Canadian Chiropractic Association CCGPP Chiropractic Economics Cleveland Chiropractic College Congress of Chiropractic State Associations ChiroSecure David Singer Enterprises Dynamic Chiropractic

Summit Members FootLevelers Foundation for Chiropractic Education & Research Foundation for Chiropractic Progress Foundation for Advancement of Chiropractic Tenets & Science International Chiropractic Association Life Chiropractic College Life Chiropractic College West National Board of Chiropractic Examiners National University of Health Sciences NCMIC New York Chiropractic College

Summit Members Northwestern University of Health Sciences Palmer College of Chiropractic - West Parker College of Chiropractic Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic Southern California University of Health Sciences Standard Process Texas Chiropractic College The Masters Circle Western States Chiropractic College World Federation of Chiropractic

Ongoing Summit Activity Specific actions are occurring and ongoing planning is being done in multiple areas…including: Specific actions are occurring and ongoing planning is being done in multiple areas…including: - Creation of White Paper - Creation of White Paper - One page Executive Summary - One page Executive Summary - Collaborative Grass Roots Planning - Collaborative Grass Roots Planning - Ongoing Work Group Activity - Ongoing Work Group Activity - Communication of Summit Plans/Activities - Communication of Summit Plans/Activities

The Chiropractic Summit Chiropractic Summit is a work in progress. Chiropractic Summit is a work in progress. The profession IS working together. The profession IS working together. All Summit participants agree that we MUST work together. All Summit participants agree that we MUST work together. Summit decisions have been unanimous to date. Summit decisions have been unanimous to date. Summit V & VI are already scheduled (May & Nov.). Summit V & VI are already scheduled (May & Nov.). More regular Summit communications will be forthcoming. More regular Summit communications will be forthcoming. Please offer input to the Summit process through COCSA. Please offer input to the Summit process through COCSA. ACA will continue to support the Chiropractic Summit as long as it progresses positively and productively. ACA will continue to support the Chiropractic Summit as long as it progresses positively and productively. ACA will continue to pursue its goals as it supports the Summit’s collaborative efforts, as will COCSA and the other Summit groups. ACA will continue to pursue its goals as it supports the Summit’s collaborative efforts, as will COCSA and the other Summit groups.