The following are informative minutes of the June 3, 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 at 8:30 a.m. by WCA President Sherry Walker, DC at the WCA building in Madison. Member absent Dr. Bradley.

 

Motion: Moved by Gurske, seconded by Bronston to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2004 meeting. Motion carried.

 

Motion: Moved by Bronston, seconded by Lyne to approve the following:

 

Motion; Moved by Bronston, seconded by Masche to extend a Lifetime Honorary Membership to Don Lamourex, DC. Motion carried

 

Treatment of Seasonal Disorders

 

The board reviewed a letter from the legal counsel to the chiropractic examining board in which the board ruled that the treatment of seasonal affective disorders was not within the scope of a chiropractor’s practice.

 

California Worker’s Compensation Laws

 

The board reviewed the specifics of the new California worker’s compensation law that will do the following.

 

  • Allow companies to create a pool of doctors from which an injured worker can choose for initial treatment of a work-related injury
  • Require an injured worker to see 3 doctors from the company-designated pool of doctors before they can seek an independent medical review.
  • Establish uniform medical guidelines that doctors must follow in the assessment of a work-related injury and treatment of disability claims.
  • Require treating doctors to evaluate what percentage of the injury resulted from a present work-related situation and what portion of the injury is attributable to other factors.
  • Hold the employer liable only for the percentage of the injury deemed to be attributable to the current work situation.

 

While the above provisions currently affect only California health care providers, the WCA is closely monitoring the situation in the event elements of the California system are proposed for Wisconsin.

 

CCGPP

 

The board reviewed the response of CCGPP Chair Gene Lewis, DC regarding the questions the board raised about the development of a chiropractic “best practices” document.

 

Motion: Moved by Bronston, seconded by Lyne to request that the Executive Director write to the other state organizations with the concerns of the WCA board regarding the development and dissemination of the document. Motion carried.

 

Packer Advertising

 

Motion: Moved by Douglas, seconded by Masche to approve the Green Bay Packer marketing proposal.

 

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

 

The meeting adjourned approximately 2:00 p.m.