Senate Bill 304, the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners Sunset bill, passed in the Texas House of Representatives. The bill previously cleared the Senate, and now the Senate is expected to vote to concur with the House amendment to the bill. Then it will head to the Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature or veto. This bill extends the regulation of chiropractors by the TBCE until 2029, clarifies that Doctors of Chiropractic diagnose the biomechanical condition of the spine and musculoskeletal system and much more.

The 85^th Texas Legislative Session is nearly over and it looks promising for the chiropractic profession. Because of the tenacity and unwavering commitment of Team TCA and our members, SB 304 has successfully passed both the Senate and House. This significant piece of legislation would extend the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE) for another 12 years and, more importantly, affirm the right of Texas chiropractors to diagnose. Let’s celebrate this win and other victories by joining your colleagues at Chiro Texpo ’17 in Dallas.

Chiro Texpo ’17, the chiropractic event of the year in Texas, is only a few weeks away, June 9-11 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for? Whether you need all or some of your 16 CE hours or none, you have plenty of registration options. Register now... the regular registration deadline is next week, Friday, May 26.

Looking for something different, including ways to grow your practice? Chiro Texpo ’17, coming up June 9-11 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, has something new for you. Check out these newly added sessions on increasing patient outcomes, Facebook advertising, reaching those not already seeing a DC, and the keys to significant practice growth.

Hiring someone you trust isn’t easy, but TCA hopes to make it easier. Sign up for the Student Career Fair on Saturday, June 10, during TCA’s Chiro Texpo ’17 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. Meet new doctors of chiropractic and students from Parker University and Texas Chiropractic College. You can talk about your practice’s needs and schedule one-on-one meetings with candidates and try to find the right fit. There’s no cost to participate in the Career Fair, although we recommend that you purchase a one-day Texpo pass or a full registration. Register online today!

TCA Silver Sponsor ChiroMatrix wants to fight childhood summer hunger by donating 10,000 meals in 10 days to Feeding America. All you have to do is complete a comprehensive website evaluation and demo with ChiroMatrix’s online marketing experts by Wednesday, May 31. With each demo, ChiroMatrix will donate 55 meals to Feeding AmericaⓇ. Plus, ChiroMatrix will increase its donation to a total of 275 meals if you switch your website to iMatrix following your demo.

TCA member Ben Quiroz, DC, won election to the Ector County Hospital District Board. Ector County voters made a statement as they voted out all of the incumbents. Dr. Quiroz, TCA’s Membership Committee Chair, ousted his opponent with vote totals of 587-287. TCA asked him about his election experience and what he believes it means for both the hospital he serves and the profession in which he is a leader.

MAY CALENDAR

The AHCA has once again been proposed in Congress to replace the ACA healthcare reform act.  With amendments, the act has now passed the House of Representatives and is in the Senate.  What does this version of the AHCA propose to do?

Six political physician groups have sent a letter to Congress critical of the AHCA proposal passed in the House of Representatives.

Efforts are underway at the VA to improve accountability, protect whistle-blowers, create a more integrated VA and use professionals from the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps to provide care at underserved VA facilities.  

MIPS is now in effect and, in this first year, you have a number of options.  You have until October to begin collecting data, or a penalty will be imposed. Everyone will be affected in the next two to three years.

Logan University is now partnering with federally qualified community health care providers to provide chiropractic care to the communities they serve.

A single spinal manipulation helped to reduce hyperalgesic effects of inflammation.

This study looked at reference values for posture using Postural Assessment Software and concluded that they could be a help in clinical practice.

Evidence continues to accumulate that caution should be utilized when regularly consuming high-volume energy drinks.

Permitting OTC hearing aids is being considered by the federal government for mild to moderate hearing loss.

This article offers a remarkably sound explanation of the rules for the game of life.  Not the board game, the game in which you participate at some level every day.

With most consumers, even those over 55, desiring self-service online payments why is it that some 75 percent or more in health care are still sending confusing paper statements?