This week, the Chiropractic Summit Group is holding its regular closed door meeting at the Florida Chiropractic Association (FCA) Convention in Orlando, continuing its tradition of secretive meetings and exclusionary practices that have sparked growing concern within the chiropractic community. As the Summit convenes, it's crucial to examine its influence, the controversial role it played in the Vanterpool case, and the broader implications of its actions for the profession.

The Chiropractic Summit Group: An Overview

The Chiropractic Summit Group, known for its secretive nature, is a self-selected assembly of chiropractic organizations, including private corporations, educational institutions, and regulatory bodies. The group operates under the so-called "St. Louis Principles," a set of guidelines reminiscent of the "Fight Club" rules, where the first rule is to not discuss the proceedings. These principles were originally developed by the Chiropractic Leadership Forum (CLF) which the Summit is an offshoot of.

The CLF reorganized as the Summit following a breakdown of that group when the majority of the organization's membership supported and recommended chiropractic by referral and not direct access within the VA. The bottom line is that they have created an environment where decisions impacting the entire chiropractic profession are made behind closed doors, with no accountability to the broader community.

Interestingly, while individual state organizations are excluded from having a seat at the Summit table, the Michigan Association of Chiropractors (MAC) is represented due to the dual role of Lisa Love Smith as the Executive Director of both MAC and the Summit Group. This selective inclusion highlights the group's control over who gets a voice in shaping the future of chiropractic care.

The Central Role of the Chiropractic Summit in the Vanterpool Case

The Chiropractic Summit's influence was starkly highlighted during the recent Vanterpool lawsuit. Jurors in the case raised critical questions about the established norms and deviations related to the Summit's invitations and attendance, specifically focusing on Dr. Vanterpool's attempts to secure a "seat at the table." These inquiries underscored the importance of understanding whether Vanterpool's actions were truly out of line with past practices or if they were simply reflective of the Summit's exclusionary policies.

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It's essential to recognize that participation in the Chiropractic Summit is not open to all within the profession; rather, it is restricted to a select few who are involved in making trade decisions that affect the entire field. Attempts to contact the leadership of the Summit for clarification have gone unanswered, further fueling concerns about the group's transparency and intentions.

The Larger Picture: FCLB, NBCE, CCE  and the Chiropractic Cartel

The Vanterpool case also shed light on the broader picture of the Chiropractic Cartel", of which the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) is a key player. The FCLB, NBCE and CCE was described by the U.S. Department of Education as part of a "virtual cartel," operating as a monopoly over chiropractic education, licensure, and practice standards. The FCLB, NBCE and CCE have close ties to each other. In addition to the money it gets from state tax dollars funneled to it from state regulatory boards, the FCLB receives the bulk of its funding from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) and student loan money. It also receives free rent for its offices located on NBCE's campus in Greeley.

The CCE for its part requires its member institutions to report "licensing rates" based on passage of the statutorily required NBCE exams even though these are not actually measures of "licensing rates". This requirement by the CCE forces states to structure their licensing rules around the NBCE giving them a monopoly. This action by the CCE also forces the schools to teach to a series of exams where questions are dominated by the controlling faction of the profession stifling academic freedom and restraining trade. 

In 2013 as she sat on the US Department of Education Committee deciding whether or not the CCE represented the profession and allowed for a diversity of philosophical thought and compared it to the Mafia, Attorney Anne Neal JD stated:

"Now it may get to the broader issue which was raised earlier that in a monopoly situation, the climate of fear that we've been hearing about, that probably happens because frankly when you're accepting these standards in a monopoly situation, that's about as voluntary as accepting an offer from Tony Soprano, so I think that's the issue we really are dealing with here. But I'm very concerned that we've got to play fair with everyone, and I'm not sure we're playing fair or the Department is playing fair." 

These organizations, funded by student loans and state tax dollars, wield significant influence, shaping the profession in ways that prioritize their interests over those of individual practitioners and patients.

According to court records from the Vanterpool case the FCLB is a dues paying member of the Summit - referred to as "Summit Partners". It is not known for sure whether or not the NBCE and CCE are members of the Summit though they were members of previous iterations of the Summit such as the Chiropractic Leadership Forum. Lisa Love Smith has refused to provide a list of members of the Summit. 

If the NBCE and CCE are members of the Summit this raises serious ethical and legal concerns about their actions since not all schools are members of the Summit. Making matters worse - since not all chiropractic schools are members of the Summit this raises even more concerns about restraint of trade by those who are allowed or been asked to be members.   

Impact on Conservative Chiropractic Practices

The control exerted by the Chiropractic Summit and its affiliated organizations has particularly marginalized practitioners who adhere to conservative chiropractic methods, such as those focusing on subluxation and vitalistic principles. These practitioners, along with those caring for asymptomatic individuals, especially children, face systematic exclusion and marginalization. The cartel's dominance has resulted in the dismissal of core chiropractic philosophies, leaving little room for diversity of thought and practice within the profession.

Even those who do not embrace these conservative values should be concerned about the lack of freedom in chiropractic education, accreditation, licensure, and practice due to the cartel's monopoly. The current state of affairs threatens the profession's integrity, limiting innovation, stifling competition and restraining trade.

A Call for Action: The Resolutions for Change

In response to these issues, over 50 chiropractic organizations, non-profit foundations, schools, and businesses have come together to sign a series of Resolutions calling for a free and competitive marketplace in chiropractic education, licensing, and practice. These Resolutions reflect a deep-seated need for change, urging the dismantling of the monopolistic control that has long dominated the profession.

CLICK Here to review the Resolutions

The Resolutions do not seek to dissolve any organization; rather, they demand an end to the misuse of federal student loan funds and state resources in perpetuating this monopoly. They also highlight the burden of student loan debt on chiropractic students, exacerbated by its use in the vicious cycle of funding the cartel's monopolistic practices.

The coalition behind the Resolutions calls upon more principled chiropractic entities, especially state, national, and international trade organizations, to support these efforts. The Resolutions represent a clear choice: either stand for the freedoms that underpin the chiropractic profession or support the lack of freedom resulting from monopolistic control.

Several state organizations have already voiced their support, including:

- Florida Chiropractic Society
- Georgia Chiropractic Council
- Chiropractic Society of Texas
- Alliance of New Mexico Chiropractors
- New York Chiropractic Council
- Palmetto State Chiropractic Association
- Colorado Chiropractic Association
- Santa Clara Chiropractic Society
- Chiropractic Fellowship of Pennsylvania

These organizations are joined by national and international groups such as:

- International Federation of Chiropractors & Organizations
- Latin American Chiropractic Association
- Alliance of Chiropractic Singapore
- International Chiropractic Pediatric Association
- Principled Chiropractic Association
- International Agency for Chiropractic Evaluation

CLICK HERE to see a complete list of the organizations supporting the Resolutions

The Way Forward

As the Chiropractic Summit Group meets this week, it is imperative that the profession's stakeholders consider the consequences of allowing a small, secretive group to control the future of chiropractic care. The Resolutions represent a critical step toward reclaiming the profession's autonomy and ensuring that it remains open, competitive, and free from monopolistic influence. The time for action is now.

The chiropractic profession must choose between continued monopoly control by a Cartel or a future where diversity, innovation, and competition can thrive. The stakes are high, and the decision will shape the future of chiropractic care for generations to come.