No, this is not a political piece concerning the presidential elections, although Donald Trump began his second term a few days ago, but more a call to arms for every chiropractor to get involved with their district, state and national chiropractic organizations.

When I was a young pup in our profession, we had limited scope of practice and often insurance coverage and reimbursement. It was local chiropractic associations with their political action committees that lobbied for extended scope and a fair share along with other healthcare groups.

The medics ruled the roost and they were not giving an inch to chiropractors or others. The stronger chiropractic organizations with their elected representatives met with state politicians and through their lobbying efforts began swaying their votes our way. Yes, elections have consequences.

During my 45 years of practice, I stayed on the sidelines but always donating to the Georgia Chiropractic Association's political action committee's efforts but not participating. I benefitted from the extended scope their lobbying efforts rendered without lifting a finger to call my political representatives nor did I acknowledge the hard and difficult work they did.

As managed healthcare became a reality nipping medical physician's insurance reimbursements and their self-esteem, they had no choice but to play fair. I found that a referral to and from a medical office was a possibility rather than an exception. We were approved to request MRIs and depending on your state laws approved to be reimbursed for adjunctive therapies with less restrictions.

Regardless of your chiropractic political persuasion, our hard earned degrees should provide the comforts of life it demands. We still struggle with Medicare approving only adjustments as if our senior citizens require no examination, x-rays or helpful therapies to begin treatment without visualization and knowledge. We still struggle with insurance companies that offer a crumb rather than an equitable piece of the pie.

So, get involved and support your state chiropractic organizations and their local chapters, especially their political action committees. Join the ACA or ICA and other groups that advance of profession and safeguard its integrity and honor amongst the healing professions. If you think they are meaningless, weak or overzealous, join and change it from within

They Represent You and Who They Choose

Depends on You

So, Their Elections Do Have Consequences