Every year we run offense and defense. Currently our offensive priorities continue to be fair pay for our services and elimination of obstructive prior authorization obstacles to the care of our patients — and the huge administrative burden it’s placing on our offices. We’re aggressively working both of these issues from every angle possible legislatively, administratively, and legally. Defensively, we stand ready to again stop efforts to erode or eliminate the Every Category of Provider protections that require health plans sold in Washington State to provide chiropractic benefits. We have to be at the table and in the discussions as this health care system morphs into whatever it becomes. As they say: if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. Our state legislators need to know that we are the evidence-based viable solution to the opioid crisis, and that restricting or impeding access to our services is ridiculous!


It’s


critical that all Washington State chiropractors engage financially and physically with the legislative process and with their legislators. There are more than 2,000 of us practicing in Washington, and we have one of the best states in the country for chiropractic. But frankly, our performance on behalf of our great profession – in terms of numbers – has been less than stellar.


So how can you help? First, we need you to donate time.


It’s important for each one of us to build relationships with our own state senators and representatives. Do it now, while the Legislature is not in session and they have time to meet with their constituents. Schedule coffee, write them a modest check and invite a few of them into your clinic. It makes a difference!


Don’t know who represents you? You aren’t alone. You can find your state legislator at this handy link: http://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder.


When you meet with your legislators, talk with them about the care you provide and the successes you are seeing in your clinic. Your state senator or representative may not have visited a chiropractor and so may be curious about the care you provide and the education you’ve received. Be sure to also talk about other ways you contribute to the community, such as volunteer work for other important causes. You may find that you have many issues in common!


If you would like help setting up meetings with your legislators, contact Lori Grassi, Lobbyist and Executive Director for the WSCA, at LGrassi@chirohealth.org or 206.878.6055.


Second, we need you to donate money.


Our hope for success during the upcoming 2018 legislative session is directly tied to an abundant continuous flow of resources to effectively contribute to State Senate and House campaigns and House and Senate soft money PACs. We have to maintain our current legislative relationships and build new ones on both the Democratic and Republican sides of the aisle. Bipartisan support for our issues is critical.


Your state representatives and senators are making public policy decisions that affect you every day, including access to health care services. We need to ensure that we set the stage for the 2018 legislative session, by working hard to raise money now.


Your state senator or representative may not have visited a


chiropractor and so may be curious about the care you provide and the education you’ve received.


If you are a regular contributor to the WSCT, it is appreciated. If you haven’t contributed, I urge you to do so today. Visit www.washingtonchirotrust.org and click on the DONATE button to make either a one-time or recurring donation. Or, if you prefer, mail a check to WSCT, PO Box 2163, Seattle, WA 98111.


Finally, here’s one more way you can help.


Show up for our annual Chiropractic Legislative Day on Thursday, January 25. It’s a day when chiropractors from across the state gather in Olympia to meet with lawmakers while the Legislature is in session. We always start with a briefing, distribution of talking point materials and a question-and-answer session on our legislative status, followed by individual meetings with legislators.


We usually see 40-50 doctors show up for this event. That’s 40-50 out of 2,000! SAD PARTICIPATION!!! So please watch for the announcement of our 2018 Legislative Day and make plans to attend.


Remember that a century ago, chiropractors were being jailed just for practicing. Can you commit an hour getting to know your legislator, or spend one day in Olympia, to demonstrate the power of our profession?


Plexus


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