Board of Directors

January 5, 2006

Minutes

 

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by WCA President Sherry Walker at the WCA building in Madison. Member absent: Dr. Lysne.

 

Motion: Moved by McMahon, seconded by Steele to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2005 meeting. Motion carried.

 

Antitrust Discussion

 

A discussion was held with regard to the board’s responsibilities to state and federal antitrust laws.

 

Food Drive

 

Participation in the 2005 WCA Helping Hands Food Drive tripled over 2004 with over 20,000 meals donated to state food pantries.

 

Special District Meetings

 

767 WCA members attended one of the special district meetings which set a participation record.

 

Worker’s Compensation

 

Labor and management have resolved their last differences over the 2005/06 WC bill and the bill has been introduced into the legislature for passage. We expect the new laws will go into effect in early spring.

 

Needle EMG bill

 

A bill has been introduced that would limit the performance of needle EMG to medical doctors and chiropractors that have the training specified by the chiropractic examining board. The WCA is monitoring this bill to insure that chiropractic rights are not affected.

 

Medicaid Audits

 

The board discussed the recent Medicaid audits in which chiropractors have been forced to refund thousands of dollars of reimbursement if they failed to adequately document the necessity of treatment for those patients who needed more than 20 adjustments. The state’s efforts in this area are a result of an increase in pressure from the federal government for more accountability in the MA program.

 

Government Affairs

 

Moved by Bronston, seconded by McMahon to approve the bill drafts with the modification to 2933/1, including the word “chiropractic” on page 3, line 1 of the draft. Motion carried.

 

ADA Tax Credits

 

The board discussed the memo that was sent to members advising them that ADA tax credits were not likely available for equipment purchases.

 

Wisconsin Chiropractor Article

 

The board discussed a letter it received from the law firm representing Mark Sanna, DC who objected to the article discussing diagnostic testing in the November 2005 issue of the Wisconsin Chiropractor.

 

Motion: Moved by McMahon, seconded by Lefler to move into executive session. Motion carried.

 

Wisconsin Supreme Court Lien Case

 

The board discussed the case brought to the Supreme Court by Ken Yorgan, DC dealing with an attorney’s responsibilities for accepting a chiropractic lien on a personal injury case. The Supreme Court held a hearing on the case and the decision is expected before summer. The case received full coverage in the Wisconsin Chiropractor.

 

SB 420

 

This legislation is no longer a threat to the chiropractic profession; however, the board reaffirmed that we must be constantly vigilant over any attempt to erode chiropractic insurance equality rights.

 

CVA

 

The staff will research changes made by WCA members to deal with the heightened awareness of CVA’s in their practice.

 

Motion: Moved by Shepherd, seconded by Masche not to offer certification for DCs in cranial sacral therapy based on the fact that this certification is not offered by a chiropractic college.

 

Motion: Moved by Bronston, seconded by Adams to move into executive session.

 

Motion: Moved by Bronston, seconded by Varish to approve the 2006 WCA budget. Motion carried.