Chiropractic Register

Generally Speaking

The TBCE has voted to appeal the TMA v. TBCE lawsuit recently decided by Judge Rhonda Hurley. The appeal will be filed before Jan. 17, 2017. If allowed to prevail, a TMA victory would mean the certification to perform VONT would be repealed, the definition of "musculoskeletal system" and "subluxation complex" would not include "nerves" and DCs would not be able to render a "diagnosis" but rather limited only to an examination, evaluation and analysis of a muscle or skeletal condition that does not pertain to nerves.

In other TBCE news, Dr. Michael P. Henry of Austin has been appointed to the TBCE to serve until 2019.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2955:new-at-the-tbce&catid=28:state-regulation-news&Itemid=175 to view the full article online.

Prepare NOW for TCLC Conference at the Capitol in February

The 2017 Texas Chiropractic Legislative Conference (TCLC) is scheduled for Feb. 9-11, at the Sheraton Austin Hotel at The Capitol, Austin. It will include a briefing on TCA bills before going on scheduled visits with legislators at the Texas Capitol for TCA Legislative Day. Wrap up your Capitol visit by joining TCLC attendees, legislators and staff at a social event at the historic Scholz Garten. Send your assistants and staff for training and elevate your practice. You can earn up to 16 CE hours toward your Texas license.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/tclc to view the full article online.

Mid-Winter Conference

Plan now for TCA’s Mid-Winter Conference, in February. It is an annual tradition for doctors of chiropractic hosted in the Texas Panhandle. Join us on Feb. 24-26 as the event returns to the Overton Hotel & Conference Center in Lubbock. Earn all 16 continuing education hours at one venue.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/midwinter to view the full article online.

Premium, Elite Memberships – Save Off TCA Conferences ... and Support Your State Association

The TCA has a solution to make planning for your 2017 CE hours easier. Check out the Premium Membership, where you’ll receive 16 CE education hours included in the price of membership. Your Premium Membership includes your registration to the TCA conference of your choice, a savings of more than $100. Better yet, check out TCA’s Elite Membership, which provides unlimited access to all TCA conferences and even bigger savings.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2980:premium--elite-memberships---save-off-tca-conferences---and-support-your-state-association&catid=23:news-information&Itemid=178 to view the full article online.

'Unprecedented' Rise in Pediatric Opioid Poisonings

The opioid epidemic does not just effect adults. Pediatric opioid poisonings almost doubled from 1997 to 2012, the largest group of hospitalizations being 1- to 4-year-olds. Retail sales of prescription opioids rose fourfold, and deaths rose sixfold.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2953:-unprecedented--rise-in-pediatric-opioid-poisonings&catid=23:news-information&Itemid=178 to view the full article online.

TEXAS

Sunset Staff Recommends TBCE Consolidation with Other Licensing Agencies

The Sunset Commission Staff recommends that the TBCE and eight other health agencies be consolidated into the Health Professions Division of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The report notes that "when these small agencies become involved in litigation, ... the agencies typically do not have money in their operating budget or extra staff to help in case litigation." The Chiropractors, Optometrists, and Podiatrists would be consolidated in phase two to be completed by the end of August 2019. Learn the details in this article.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2935:sunset-staff-recommends-tbce-consolidation-with-other-licensing-agencies&catid=28:state-regulation-news&Itemid=175 to view the full article online.

Pfizer Sues Texas Agency Over Leaked Drug Prices

The drug company Pfizer is suing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for providing Texas legislators with Pfizer's drug pricing data. Pfizer claims the information could jeopardize their complex and secretive pricing and federal discount programs.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2945:pfizer-sues-texas-agency-over-leaked-drug-prices&catid=23:news-information&Itemid=178 to view the full article online.

National

Post-Election Healthcare Perspectives and Possibilities

It looks as if 2017 will be predominantly healthcare related in both the Texas Legislature and the US Congress. The election early in November has cast uncertainty upon many things, not the least of which is healthcare, health insurance, and how the federal government may interact with the states to "improve" healthcare. President-elect Trump has outlined a seven-point plan. In the post-election period he has renewed a handful of pledges and plans for working with congress and he also has several unilateral options. Congress will also have several health-related bills to take up early in 2017.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2947:post-election-healthcare-perspectives-and-possibilities&catid=23:news-information&Itemid=178 to view the full article online.

Many Losses, Few Wins for Healthcare Candidates

The November elections included 39 doctors, nurses and dentist candidates. While the ten incumbent physicians will be returning to congress, most of the other healthcare candidates were not successful.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2946:many-losses--few-wins-for-healthcare-candidates&catid=23:news-information&Itemid=178 to view the full article online.

"Uncivil Physician" Pleads Guilty to "Wild West" Tactics

Some claim that Texas is reverting to the "wild west," yet a New York physician demonstrates that the "civil" northeast is yet untamed. A New York osteopathic cardiologist sought to grow his practice by 1) setting his competitor’s office on fire, 2) desiring to "dynamite his office," 3) paying to have him beaten, 4) making payments to have him killed. The "caring physician" had practiced with the "target" for nearly two decades when they split into separate businesses.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2949:-uncivil-physician--pleads-guilty-to--wild-west--tactics&catid=23:news-information&Itemid=178 to view the full article online.

FDA Clears Digital Stethoscope for Remote Medical Exam

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2939:fda-clears-digital-stethoscope-for-remote-medical-exam&catid=23:news-information&Itemid=178 to view the full article online.

Chiropractic News

Chiropractic: Drug-Free Pain Management

The public needs to be reminded that there are drug-free approaches such as chiropractic that, if tried first, may reduce or eliminate the need for pain medications. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, chiropractors care for patients with health problems of the neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2927:chiropractic--drug-free-pain-management&catid=36:clinical-chiropractic&Itemid=179 to view the full article online.

Battles Among Licensed Occupations: Estimating the Effects of Scope of Practice and Direct Access on the Chiropractic, Physical Therapist, and Physician Labor Market

A recent study reveals that expanding the scope of practice for mid-level healthcare providers such as chiropractors and PTs may potentially improve the efficiency of the healthcare market in the United States. Because they want to protect market share, physicians are reluctant to accept chiropractic as a viable substitute, and willingness to make referrals to chiropractors still appears limited.... If physicians are able to successfully prevent chiropractors from performing certain procedures, they may conceivably be able to defend their market share, an economically meaningful number with recent estimates suggesting five out of every 100 adults aged 18–64 seek nonoperative care for back and neck pain in a given year.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2936:battles-among-licensed-occupations--estimating-the-effects-of-scope-of-practice-and-direct-access-on-the-chiropractic--physical-therapist--and-physician-labor-market&catid=23:news to view the full article online.

Cost-Effectiveness Of General Practice Care For Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

While spinal pain costs are skyrocketing and account for more than nine percent of total healthcare costs, the general medical practitioner is one of the most frequently utilized healthcare services for low back pain, and they refer patients only about 20 percent of the time for additional services such as rehabilitation or manipulation. This study concludes that general medical care does not appear to be the most cost effective treatment option for low back pain.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2943:cost-effectiveness-of-general-practice-care-for-low-back-pain--a-systematic-review&catid=23:news-information&Itemid=178 to view the full article online.

Business Development

Google Ranking Webinar NEXT WEEK

Having a personalized website is essential as more turn to the Internet to find chiropractic practitioners in their area. The competition for top rankings on Google is fierce. Register for this short Dec. 7 webinar from Online Chiro and you will learn the strategies that will help your practice get the most out of its website and bring more new patients to the door.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2900:personalize-and-rise--four-ways-to-rank-higher-on-google&catid=23:news-information&Itemid=178 to view the full article online.

Even MORE news is posted daily at the online eSource.

Visit http://www.chirotexas.org/the-front-page to view the full article online.

Texas Chiropractic Assocation