COCSA Supports Scope Expansion in Medicare
In a letter distributed to the profession John LaMonica, DC, President of the Congress of Chiropractic State Organizations (COCSA) and President of the New York Chiropractic Council (NYCC) states that the COCSA Board of Directors has prioritized efforts to pass expanded Medicare inclusion legislation by creating a Medicare Inclusion Task Force.
According to LaMonica, this Task Force is working with the ACA, ICA, ACC and "all the profession's stakeholders" to develop legislative language for Medicare.
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) have recently launched similar websites petitioning to expand the scope of practice under Medicare. COCSA, the ACA and the ICA are members of the Steering Committee of the so called Chiropractic Summit Group. The Steering Committee is made up of the following groups:
- American Chiropractic Association (ACA)
- International Chiropractors Association (ICA)
- Congress of Chiropractic State Organizations (COCSA)
- Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC)
- National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE)
- Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB)
- Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)
LaMonica's role in COCSA and as President of the New York Chiropractic Council comes at a time when merger negotiations have been intensifying in New York between the New York State Chiropractic Association (NYSCA) and the Council. NYSCA wants to expand the scope of practice in New York.
The following is the text of LaMonica's letter:
Dear Colleagues:
As you know, the COCSA Board of Directors has prioritized efforts to pass expanded Medicare inclusion legislation. Our leadership has created a formal Medicare Inclusion Task Force that is working with the other national organizations to develop legislative language and a powerful grassroots plan that is fully supported by our state association members.
We are strongly committed to collaborating with all the profession's stakeholders and working tirelessly to be sure all positions are considered, and all voices heard. We are an integral part of the on-going discussions of the ACA, ICA, ACC and others, working to finalize legislative language that will move this critical process forward. Please note that the final legislative language, which will be part of any introduced bill, will ultimately be determined by the legislative council who drafts the final verbiage. COCSA fully supports the end goal of having expanded chiropractic services in the Medicare program.
As far as the grassroots efforts, both the ACA and the ICA have developed versions of petition drives to garner support for Medicare inclusion. COCSA has not formally approved these efforts, but continues to monitor them to determine how we will proceed with an overall grassroots plan.
We will keep you regularly informed of our on-going efforts.
Thank you!
Dr. John LaMonica
COCSA President
President, New York Chiropractic Council
