A Challenge to Students and Doctors of Chiropractic

By Hal Ellen, Todd Hostetler, Steven Bailey and Maureen Hall

Editor's note: The authors of this article are all chiropractic students, class of April 2000, Logan College of Chiropractic, Lombard, Illinois.

 

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As we move forward into the next century, we realize the importance of preserving the sanctity of our great profession. It is imperative that we stand together for the progress of chiropractic and prevent others from taking away our proper place as unique professionals in the mainstream of health care. This is proving to be true in light of recent events with respect to fairness in the health care arena. We are aware that the lawsuit filed by the ACA against HCFA is not merely about reimbursement but about maintaining the autonomy of chiropractic. Therefore, we as a class of chiropractic students support and donate the enclosed monies to help with the fight to preserve the integrity of chiropractic.

Additionally, we want to set a precedent for other students and doctors of chiropractic to follow. We, the class of April 2000 at Logan College, have already challenged the students of the other classes at Logan to raise money for donation. We also wish to issue a challenge to the students of other chiropractic colleges and doctors in practice, regardless of their philosophical bearing, to join us in our effort to support this worthy cause. We need to transcend our philosophical differences to fight for our right to practice chiropractic.

Intrachiropractic philosophical boundaries are dividing our profession. We need to erase these boundaries and know that our pride in our individual philosophies could ultimately destroy us as a profession. Therefore, we need to realize that our patients will be the ones to suffer if we allow our egos to prevail. We cannot leave our destiny in the hands of managed care, medical doctors and legislators. Let the future of chiropractic be determined by chiropractors.