October 2005

ICA works for recognition of chiropractic for relief efforts

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) has requested the addition of a specific “Doctor of Chiropractic” category in the federal healthcare professionals’ volunteer pool, which was organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of The Surgeon General and the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness.

ICA directed this request to Michael O. Leavitt, HHS Secretary. ICA has also shared its request with a number of key Members of Congress and has asked their help in persuading Secretary Leavitt to make this change.

Several chiropractic organizations, including the ICA, have directed doctors of chiropractic interested in serving as an emergency volunteer to this federal clearinghouse, recognizing that there is no unique category for “doctor of chiropractic.” DCs have been encouraged to register under the “physician” category, and in the field for “specialty” to put “chiropractor,” thereby identifying their availability to provide chiropractic services.

By September 15, 2005, the federal volunteer Web site, volunteer.ccrf.hhs.gov, had posted a notice stating that although HHS is no longer accepting individual medical and relief worker applications, “HHS remains interested in identifying groups (of at least five healthcare professionals or relief personnel from a single employer) who are interested in deploying as a group.”

ICA has responded on behalf of its members with a group offer, and will continue to seek a specific chiropractic professional category, along with an established protocol for chiropractic volunteers, in this important relief and emergency service system.

Source: International Chiropractic Association, www.chiropractic.org

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