February 2003

ACA Adds Short to Legislative Team

Also - ACA issues statement on Showtime program

Duke Short, DC, a veteran of Capitol Hill, has joined the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) legislative team as a special legislative consultant. Short spent over two decades on Capitol Hill, with many of those years spent as a senior advisor to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee.

Serving most recently as Senator Strom Thurmond's (R-SC) chief of staff, Short has helped the ACA achieve several legislative victories for the chiropractic profession. The most recent victory was the chiropractic inclusion in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) student loan reimbursement program. Short graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic.

ACA plans to use Short's experience and expertise as the association seeks to advance its 2003 legislative agenda.

ACA issues statement on Showtime program

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) issued a statement on the Showtime “Penn & Teller: Bull----!” episode on alternative medicine aired on January 31. “Chiropractic medicine” is one of the topics or targets that was looked at.

In the statement, the ACA said, “We recognize the First Amendment right to expose questionable practices, particularly in the ‘most jaw-dropping fashion possible…with wit and off-center comedy.’

“Our concern is with public accountability and fairness. More than 26 million Americans go to doctors of chiropractic each year. The issue is their health and well-being.

“Responsible medical researchers and institutions have concluded that chiropractors have superior education, knowledge and training in care of the musculoskeletal system and that medical physicians have a glaring competency gap in this same area. Tests given by the most reputable medical sources indicate that 82 percent of medical school graduates flunk a basic exam on this system(s) that comprises 60 percent of all body systems and the problems of which comprise more than 20 percent of all visits to medical physicians.

“The American Chiropractic Association stands ready to cooperate in any legitimate effort to improve public health and to expose illegal or unethical conduct. Proper and fair education of the public is always welcome. Comedy lightens our spirit.”

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