The following are informative minutes of the April 1, 2004 meeting of the WCA Board of Directors. Please note that these minutes may not cover all of the subjects discussed or motions passed by the board. The portion of the minutes dealing with confidential attorney-client communications, personnel issues, legislative strategies, communications with legislators, communications with government employees, political contribution strategies and specific complaints or information about individual practitioners is considered confidential by the board. WCA members may obtain detailed minutes by contacting the WCA office.

The meeting was called to order by WCA President Sherry Walker, DC at 8:30 a.m. at the WCA building in Madison. Members absent Drs. Sleight and Scherer.

Motion: Moved by Lyne, seconded by Steele to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2004 meeting. Motion carried.

Motion: Moved by McMahon, seconded by Varish to offer a CCSP program if sufficient members are interested. Motion carried.

Motion: Moved by Lyne, seconded by Gurske to approve the expenditure for sponsorship of Milwaukee Brewer radio spots. Motion carried.

“Wik” Guidelines

The board discussed a letter it received from the Colorado Chiropractic Association in which the CCA stated the WCA had endorsed the “Wik” guidelines.

The WCA Board of Directors has not endorsed any work by Dr. Wik. As a matter of fact, until the letter from the CCA, the WCA had not heard of any “guidelines” promulgated by him. In addition, we know of no insurance carriers that have publicly endorsed any work by Dr. Wik.

Since moving to Wisconsin, Dr. Wik has testified before the Wisconsin legislature in opposition to WCA policy positions. His statements in support of the policy positions of the Wisconsin Medical Society have not been helpful to the long term goals of the WCA. If Dr. Wik were to approach our Board with any guidelines, they would be met with skepticism unless the guidelines had been prepared in a scientifically rigorous manner in conjunction with chiropractic colleges/universities.

AB 814

The board reviewed the action steps that were necessary fro the success of the defeat of AB 814. As part of its review the board spent considerable time discussing the lack of participation on the part of Allied Health. The board reviewed the promises made by its leadership to fully support the WCA’s efforts and the fact that they failed to keep those promises. Based on conversations with Allied members, the reasons offered for the failure to keep their promises primarily centered on conversation/s they had with insurers who stated they “would not look favorably on Allied’s efforts against AB 814” and the promise of support from legislative leaders to kill the WCA legislation if Allied did not work against AB 814. The board was deeply disappointed in the short sightedness and the lack of leadership demonstrated by Allied.

Spinal Manipulation Safety Act

The board discussed the possibility of enacting legislation that would ban any health care provider from performing spinal manipulation unless that individual had a specified amount of training. The board will review this proposal in more detail as it prepares its 2005 legislative priorities.

Parker & CCSP programs

The board reviewed the operations of the Parker and CCSP programs to determine if they are consistent with WI Administrative rules for continuing education. The board may make recommendations to the chiropractic examining board after its review is complete.

Ethical Treatment Plans

The board reviewed a complaint by a patient in which a chiropractor recommended 73 treatments on the patient’s initial visit. A primary component of the treatment plan was ABS Disc Decompression Treatment.

Motion: Moved by Bronston, seconded by McMahon to recommend the patient bring their complaint to the Department of Regulation & Licensing