On December 7, 2002, the Virginia Society of Chiropractic hosted an historic unifying legislative summit with representation from regional, state and national groups throughout Virginia.

The summit's purpose was to foster a greater understanding of the common ground the majority of D.C.s in the commonwealth feel will advance chiropractic to a leadership position in the current health care environment.

Showing support for such a tremendous initiative, individual legislators provided meeting space at the capitol building in Richmond. Representatives discussed possible joint legislation as well as airing differences in political strategies.

Society President Glenn Molin, D.C. believed that rallying chiropractors around such fundamental basic tenets as specific chiropractic adjustments and the subluxation was crucial to the future success of the profession on a legislative and reimbursement level. The passionate discussion on all sides of the issue made for a very powerful day.

This was the first opportunity ever for many D.C.s to speak directly with all leaders in the state simultaneously and voice their concerns. Even more important, it was the first time some felt that they actually had an active role in the future of their own profession. The initiative was so well received that future meetings are being planned in 2003.

The summit was inspired by a 2002 legislative fiasco in which the Virginia House of Delegates was told by a key leader in a second organization that the chiropractors across Virginia were happy under a medical disciplinary board.

Legislation introduced by the Virginia Society of Chiropractic in 2002 would have created an independent chiropractic board. Virginia is the only remaining state in the U.S. where chiropractors are under the disciplinary authority of a medical board. Chiropractic is currently represented by just one D.C. on the 16-member panel.