The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) mourns the loss of its Chairman of the Board of Governors (BOG) Robert Mastronardi, DC, 60, who passed away yesterday following a battle with cancer.

Profession Can Now Pursue Alleged ERISA Violations   

Seneca Falls:  At New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) commencement exercises held Saturday, March 30, 2012,  Charles C. DuBois, BS, MS, president of the whole foods supplement company, Standard Process, Inc., headquartered in Palmyra, Wisconsin, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his generous philanthropy, his business achievement and for having significantly advanced natural healthcare education, scholarship, and nutritional research - the second such degree conferred in the college’s 90 year history. 

On March 27, we received the following from Senator Schumer's legislative aide, "I apologize for the delay in response but its appropriation season so it has been hectic. I wanted you to know that we signed Senator Schumer as a cosponsor to S. 1147." On February 16th while in Washington, DC attending the ACA National Legislative Conference we visited Capitol Hill with Dr. Bazakos, Dr. Nicchi and NYCC students. We explained to Senator Schumer's legislative aide the importance of obtaining his co-sponsorship of S1147 (see below for issue). This is an exciting and positive step in gaining support for S1147.

Senator Schumer adding his name with his senior and respected status in the Senate, sends a clear message to fellow senators of the importance to support our veterans! Please feel free to send a quick thank you to his office for his co-sponsorship and the importance this bill has in helping one of our most important national treasures...our veterans!

Seneca Falls:  New York Chiropractic College has announced the establishment of an integrated care chiropractic residency program - the first such program to be located at a Veteran’s Health Administration (VHA) facility. Instruction will prepare the College’s chiropractic clinical residents regarding optimal management of patients presenting a diversity of musculoskeletal disorders. New York Chiropractic College had previously been running several academic and research programs at the Canandaigua, NY, site. “The new groundbreaking VA residency program significantly complements the College’s existing offerings there,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Michael Mestan. Residents’ duties will include working alongside the VA system’s established providers and will include rotations with various of specialists in neurology, orthopedics, physiatry, pain management, primary care and physical therapy.  “NYCC is proud to be a leader in instructing chiropractors who will be caring for our nation’s veterans,” Mestan added.

Arlington, Va.-- On Friday, March 16, leaders of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) met with representatives from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and 36 other stakeholder organizations-including FCLB, ICA, IFCO, MCQI, NBCE and the presidents of all U.S. chiropractic colleges-in an effort to improve communication and the transparency of its operations.

ACA Hosts Annual Leadership Meeting in Conjunction with Legislative Conference

Opportunities Look Bright for the Chiropractic Profession
 
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released a bulletin outlining proposed policies that will give states more flexibility and freedom to implement certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). 
 
The HHS proposal describes "an inclusive, affordable and flexible proposal and informs stakeholders about the approach that HHS intends to pursue in rulemaking to define essential health benefits. HHS is releasing this intended approach to give consumers, states, employers and issuers timely information as they work toward establishing Exchanges and making decisions for 2014." This approach was developed with significant input from the public, including ACA's comments provided during the Institute of Medicine hearings, as well as reports from the Department of Labor, and research conducted by HHS. Today's HHS proposal offers for public comment four alternative "benchmark plans" for flexible choice by the states in designing how to meet the new health care reform essential health benefit (EHB) requirements.
 
Although the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) leadership has just begun to analyze the HHS proposal, its first impression is positive for the chiropractic profession. "Overall, this is one of the best outcomes we could achieve," said Keith Overland, DC, president of ACA. "Given that virtually every state has chiropractic services or some sort of insurance equality included among their existing insurance plans; this HHS proposal released today appears to be very good news."
 
ACA understood in 2010 that the health care reform legislation was not likely to include chiropractic services as a named essential benefit. Therefore, its strategy has been to ensure that DCs are able to provide their services under the categories of EHBs included in plans offered through the health exchanges. "We will continue to make our position crystal clear at the highest levels of HHS-that language considered at the federal and state level relative to essential benefits must include the services provided by doctors of chiropractic. Anything less would be a disservice to the millions of Americans that benefit from chiropractic care on a daily basis," said Dr. Overland.
 
ACA and its Chiropractic Summit partners will examine the HHS proposal and, in partnership with the state associations, work to advocate that state governments  choose benchmark plans that include chiropractic services among the EHBs.
 
As projected by ACA, the HHS bulletin allows for public comment before Jan. 31, 2012. It is also expected that HHS will revert to the standard regulatory process on this issue next year, where further opportunity to comment will be available before a final rule is issued.

 
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of patient care and ethics, and supports research that contributes to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit www.acatoday.org.

New York Chiropractic College held commencement exercises Saturday, December 3, 2011, conferring degrees upon 91 candidates for Doctor of Chiropractic.  Graduating student C. Michael Begley addressed his class expressing gratitude to the many people who had helped him along the way.

Medicare has released a revised version of the ABN. They previously indicated that mandatory use of this version would begin on Nov. 1, 2011. Medicare has now delayed the implementation date to Jan. 1, 2012. All ABNs with the release date of March, 2008, that are issued on or after January 1, 2012 will be considered invalid.

New York Chiropractic College has received approval from the New York State Education Department to offer an Advanced Certificate Program in Sports Science and Human Performance.  The program is designed to provide the student with a solid foundation of exercise science and sports medicine principles that leads to unique hands on clinical workshop experiences at a variety of sporting events.

Mariangela Penna, DC was inducted as a Fellow into the International College of Chiropractors at the annual American Chiropractic Association meeting recently held in Portland, OR. Presenting Dr. Penna with her award is H. William Wolfson, DC, ACA NY Downstate Delegate. Dr. Wolfson informed the attendees of the untiring efforts and hard work Dr. Penna has performed on behalf of the chiropractic profession. Dr. Penna’s recognition is richly earned and deserved. She is immediate past president of the New York State Chiropractic Association and serves as the NYSCA NY State Affiliate representative to the ACA.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) recently honored Long Island resident H. William Wolfson, DC, with its prestigious 2011 Delegate of the Year award during the association’s annual House of Delegates meeting in Portland, OR. The award is presented annually for exceptional service, achievement and leadership within the association’s governing body.

Seneca Falls, NY: New York Chiropractic College employees know that the College is a great place to work, and the Chronicle of Higher Education agrees! For the third year running, NYCC has earned recognition by the Chronicle as a “Great College to Work For.”   The College also achieved, once again, a place on the Chronicle’s select “Honor Roll,” joining only seven other schools of similar size nationwide to repeat this distinction.

Seneca Falls:  New York State Chiropractic Association past-president Dr. Mariangela Penna presented NYCC President Dr. Frank J. Nicchi with the association’s highest honor, the Ernest G. Napolitano Award, during the College’s Homecoming weekend attended by more than 430 alumni, students and members of the faculty.