June 2007

ICA issues statement on COCSA merger 'demand'

The International Chiropractors Association's Board of Directors and Representative Assembly met on April 27‑28, 2007 in Washington, DC, for its scheduled 81st Annual Meeting. During those meetings, very careful consideration was given to all aspects of the demand issued by the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) for the merger of the ICA with the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Following these discussions, the combined ICA leadership unanimously adopted an official statement on this issue. That statement reads as follows:

"The International Chiropractors Association has always stood ready to work with any chiropractic association or group for the common good of the chiropractic profession, the principles we stand for, and the patients we serve. We have repeatedly extended our hand in the spirit of cooperation in an effort to gain a unified voice in those areas where such a voice is useful and favorable. Our participation in the Chiropractic Coalition, an organization in which all national associations were asked to participate, demonstrates our willingness to continue these efforts.

Historically, there have been four attempts to force a merger of the ICA with another national chiropractic association. Each of these attempts resulted in defeat of the proposal, and a decline in membership for both associations involved. In all these attempts, an organizational merger was attempted without a basic understanding of the very uniqueness that necessitates the various organizations. The ICA has no desire at present to repeat these historical failures by pursuing the same course.

There are basic chiropractic philosophical tenants that ICA holds supreme, and are not subject to compromise. It is the separate and clear voice of the ICA that has created a system of checks and balances in our profession. Over the past several decades it has been painfully obvious that this separate voice has prevented the profession from drifting in a direction that ICA views as clearly in violation of our philosophical tenants, as well as detrimental to our profession and the unique contribution we offer the public.

Although we view the 'demand' from one organization upon another to be a curious course of action, we can appreciate the desire to further the profession of chiropractic. ICA shares these desires but does not agree on the course of action being proposed. ICA continues to pledge cooperative effort in those areas where a common voice can speak on issues. However, on those issues where a separate voice is needed, ICA will continue to express that voice."

"ICA has communicated with the President of the American Chiropractic Association reiterating ICA's willingness to cooperate on issues of common concern, for the greater good of the profession, especially in the realm of legislation and public policy," said ICA President Dr. John Maltby. "We look forward to that dialogue and will keep the ICA membership informed of the results," Dr. Maltby concluded.