|
|
|
|
ISSUE 3 April 24, 2012
|
|
|
| Greetings! |
 Welcome to the third edition of the "ICA In Action" newsletter. The last issue initiated a discussion on the great drug debate and also touched on the subject of "spin" in reporting on the activities of the CCE. The CCE returns to center stage with the recent release of the December 22, 2011 letter to the Assistant Secretary-Office of Postsecondary Education. (click here to read) There comes a point when attempts to "spin" bad news cross the threshold of honesty and integrity and reach into the realm of intentional deceit. I invite all interested parties to actually do some homework! Read the record. Then decide for yourself whether CCE has crossed that line. Fortunately, the transcripts of NACIQI meetings are a matter of public record. The ICA has released its 27 pages of comments and over 500 pages of supporting documentation. (click here to access the ICA filing and the supporting documents) As the only "officer" of the ICA to actually present oral testimony in December, and as an attendee of the last three CCE public meetings I have a unique perspective to add to the discussion. There are many who have been calling for a significant reform at CCE. There are many who have complained regarding the lack of response to the "practitioner" stakeholder community. There are many who have expressed concern that CCE favors select institutions and certain constituents. There are many, including members of the NACIQI committee, that are concerned that the policies, procedures and standards of the CCE may not be as widely accepted in the practitioner community as CCE has asserted. From my point of view, the December 22 letter validates those concerns. Don't just take my word for it. Do the homework ... make up your own mind ... and if you agree ... join the efforts of the ICA and many other stakeholder groups that would like to see the CCE reformed into an accreditation agency that represents the entire profession. Every two to three weeks I will continue to inform, educate and assure you that the ICA is working on your behalf to "Advance chiropractic throughout the world as a distinct health care profession predicated upon its unique philosophy, science and art."
As the ICA continues to increase its involvement in state, national and international events I hope to keep you informed as to the "what, where and whys" behind the ICA actions. I look forward to your feedback. Dr. Steve Welsh Secretary/Treasurer ICA |
|
|
|
|
ICA Sponsors Octagon's "World's Greatest Conversations"
|
The International Chiropractors Association was just one of many sponsors who provided support to the fourth annual Octagon event intended to facilitate some of the "World's Greatest Conversations". The presenters were many, the viewpoints were varied but there seems to be a consistency amongst the messages and there were several "take aways" from this year's topic on health care reform.
1. The current health care system is unsustainable and reform is going to happen regardless of what happens at the Supreme Court.
2. The current focus of health care reform is on reducing costs and increasing quality.
3. The long term solution lies in "improving the health" of the population.
4. If you are not engaged and at the table, you are probably "on the menu".
5. The allied CAM disciplines have an opportunity to make significant contributions to the system.
6. There are major vested interests with a stake in preserving the "status quo".
7. The "Integration" of chiropractic into healthcare does not equate to the "Assimilation" of chiropractic into medicine.
8. The transition from a "theoretical" participant to an "actual" participant will take time, energy, cooperation, persistence, and patience as the major players and policy makers develop systems that will enable financial incentives for keeping patients healthy and out of the "sick care" system.
The ICA would like to extend its appreciation to all the other sponsors, the participants and to Life University for hosting another superb event.
|
 CCE Rejects Concerns of Practitioners |
 On April 3, 2012 the CCE posted on its website a copy of the letter (click here for link) to the Department of Education that was used as a basis for dismissing the concerns expressed by the NACIQI committee at the December hearing. The CCE letter provided the following mis-information in their appeal for reconsideration:
1: First, we feel that the Committee was unfairly influenced by misleading 3rd party testimony ... (7) International Chiropractic Association (ICA) officers ... presented testimony under guise of various organizations ... 2: Secondly, the ICA chief counsel provided false information to NACIQI ... and following the meeting ... submitted a brief ... omitted the false claim ... provided in his oral statement ... 3. Third, commenters expressed their anxiety regarding our conflicts of interest and governance structure, ... oral testimony by ICA representatives asserting that CCE is comprised of the same persons involved in the 2002 adverse accreditation decision ... The bottom line is that all three of these assertions are misleading at best, and at worst could be construed as a deliberate attempt to marginalize both the ICA and other dissenting organizations for daring to suggest that reform is needed. Please examine the record (click here to access the actual transcript) ... and make up your own mind ... then join the ICA today! |
|
CCE Myth 1: ICA Presented Under Guise of Other Organizations
|
|
|
CCE Myth 2: ICA Counsel Provided False Information
|
 The second myth is also easy to debunk. Following the meeting the ICA released a copy of the prepared testimony used by the ICA Chief Counsel at the hearing. The identification of the estimated number of members ( not "Doctors" or "voting members" ) was in response to a question posed after the remarks were completed. There was no need, nor was there any effort to change testimony after the fact. (Click here for transcript of comments on behalf of ICA by Mr. Turner)
|
|
CCE Myth 3: Conflict of Interest Claims Are Unfounded
|
The third myth is also easy to debunk. The ICA assertions to "conflict of interest" relate to the individuals on the CCE Board of Directors 10 years ago, with oversight responsibility for the standards, and those members that were still in a position to influence the standards away from the "chiropractic" model during the most recent standards review process. (click here to see the evidence provided in written comments) The fact is that the current chair of the Council was originally appointed to the CCE in the mid nineties and has been on either the CCE Board, the COA or the CCE Council consecutively for over 15 years. Furthermore, he was just, once again, re-elected to a new 3 year term. So much for term limits! (Click here for a copy of his resume) |
|
The ICA continues to strive to advance chiropractic throughout the world as a distinct health care profession predicated on its unique philosophy, art and science on a daily basis. I sincerely hope that the "ICA In Action" newsletter will assist you in combating the mis-information campaigns that have begun to proliferate as the ICA continues to increase its efforts to defend chiropractic.
Sincerely,
|
Stephen P. Welsh, DC, FICAInternational Chiropractors Association
|
|
|
|
|
