October 2004

45 associations file amicus brief in Trigon case

Led by the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association, 45 state and local associations and the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) filed an amicus curiae brief in the U.S. Supreme Court. The brief supports the petition of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) in the Trigon lawsuit.

In addition to the 45 associations, NCMIC and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges each filed separate briefs providing their own arguments why the issue before the court is of such importance that it should consider the petition.

Gene Veno, executive vice president of the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association (PCA) was instrumental in leading the amicus support drive. The PCA’s brief was used by all of the state associations to communicate their petition.

Veno told Chiropractic Economics that when his organization announced it would take on the amicus brief on behalf of other associations, contributions from other associations began to flow in — even from individuals.

“A local chiropractor in Pennsylvania, Dr. Deborah Cassidy, called me to ask if her office could help by making a donation. She contributed $2,000 to help the PCA with the legal bills associated with this major filing,” said Veno.

Support of the lawsuit has also come from another venue. The Alaska Public Interest Group, a Ralph Nader affiliate, along with the National Association of Community Pharmacies, notified the court of their concern and interest in having this matter considered.

According to the ACA, Trigon has submitted a proposal to the Supreme Court that opposes the petition.

Sources: American Chiropractic Association, Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association.

Industry News from:
Chiropractic News from: