August 2004

Coalition plans Legislative Day '05

The Chiropractic Coalition has begun planning for its next Joint Legislative Day, to be held Thursday, April 4, 2005 in Washington, DC. Building on the success of the 2004 event ‑‑ which drew an estimated 600 doctors of chiropractic, chiropractic students, and supporters ‑‑ Coalition leaders set a goal of 1,000 participants for next year's event.

The Coalition was formed in November 2002 by three major chiropractic organizations: the International Chiropractors Association (ICA), the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) and the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations (FSCO). It has since worked cooperatively on several important legislative issues.

"We did a wonderful job and astounded a lot of people," said Mike McLean, ICA Legislative Committee Chairman. "And we want to do even better next year." ICA Executive Director Ron Hendrickson added: "We showed the entire profession that we're the ascending organization, quantitatively and qualitatively."

Speakers this year included Sen. Edward Kennedy and Reps. Donald Manzullo, Bob Filner and Edward Schrock. Each plays a key role in the success of chiropractic‑related bills in Congress and provided important insights and information to an overflowing crowd in the Gold Room of the Rayburn House Office building at the capitol.

The most important work done during the Legislative Day, however, didn't take place in the Gold Room. It took place in the offices of Senators and Representatives, as chiropractors met with their legislators either individually or in state contingents.

"Having these doctors and students travel to Washington for this meeting made a tremendous impression on their lawmakers," explained Terry A. Rondberg, DC, WCA president. "They heard firsthand from their constituents, the men and women whose votes put them in office and will keep them there in the future. They learned about the true role of chiropractic in the American health care system, and about the dedication of the profession to chiropractic principles."

The ability of three different organizations to work together on the Legislative Day, and to present a unified message about chiropractic to Congress, was of critical importance to the success of the project.

"The three Coalition partners ... have now demonstrated how small differences can be put aside so that the entire profession can flourish and prosper," McLean noted. "Legislative Day 2004 was a resounding success, not just because of the numbers but because of the resolve, insight and energy it demonstrates on the part of so many in the chiropractic profession."

The event gave all subluxation‑centered chiropractors the chance to gather in an atmosphere of shared ideals and goals, regardless of which organizations they belong to and Coalition leaders are excited about the prospect of an even bigger and more successful event in 2005.

More information about the 2005 Coalition Joint Legislative Day will be made available on the Coalition's website, www.chiropracticcoalition.com. In the meantime, all doctors and students are urged to mark the date ‑‑ Thursday, April 14, 2005 ‑‑ on their calendars now!

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