Unified Chiropractic Association Of Oklahoma - Chiropractor In Tulsa; OK; USA

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Welcome to Unified Chiropractic Association Of Oklahoma!

There have been significant changes within Oklahoma politics in the last year. The New Year

rings in the tenth year of unity, realized for the first three years from combining five elected representatives from both the OSCA (Oklahoma State Chiropractic Association) and the JCA (Joint Chiropractic Association). Four years ago, that union evolved into a UCA board represented by elected D.C.s from all eight districts, irrespective of their original roots in the OSCA & JCA.

This relationship development was a slow and careful process during the tenures of the first two preceding chairmen, Drs. Bill Mead and Roger Hammerstrom. They had the monstrous, daunting duty to work with kid gloves to mold this fragile relationship into the stable team of today.

When Dr. Russ Gilstrap was elected chairman, the organization changed from the OSCA and JCA liaison committee to Unified Chiropractic Association. The time of walking on eggshells has passed because true unity had achieved!! Yes, it is time for great adulation and joy! Why? Unity stops the “in-fighting” and makes it possible to speak with one voice at the capital. The Unified board hopes that Chiropractic Physicians across Oklahoma realize how this has helped obtain credibility for our profession and over time that will increase it even!

Don't misunderstand me; UNITY is also the critical first step in the process of moving forward. The next most critical issue is maintaining that unity. There are many opinions, egos, and agendas when you have a profession such as ours, inundated with vibrant, passionate professionals who care about Chiropractic! Science, Philosophy, and Art have always been and will always be CHIROPRACTIC at its very roots. The Chiropractic Adjustment is our primary treatment and we all see miracles every day as we remove nerve interference and eliminate disease at the source.

I have the vision of a universal Chiropractic Association becoming stronger and stronger, representing all Chiropractors in the state of Oklahoma. I believe that with increased involvement and passion from the field doctors and continuation of the democratic election of district representatives and officers for the UCA Board, we are capable of making informed decisions, no matter how hard they may seem. This will potentially help give Oklahoma Chiropractic a chance to be in the best political position it has ever been.

During the early days of Dr. Gilstrap’s administration, the UCA Board of Directors had already been faced with some road blocks, but showed the strength to stand up to them and had the integrity to be counted upon to the make painful, critical decisions to keep the UCA and Oklahoma Chiropractic moving forward.

Worker's Comp Reform?

The 2004 worker's compensation reform essentially blocked patient access to Chiropractic care! We are still in the system but only as a token. With the help of many generous donations from field doctors, the UCA hired MGT (Management Group Technologies), a research firm from Florida, to develop a report that documents how inclusion of Chiropractic care in Florida’s Workers Compensation system actually lowers case cost by diminishing both time lost from work and long-term disability.

By circulating this report to legislators, the Governor's W.C. task force, and other influential players and entities via the UCA’s lobbyists, we hoped to influence positive changes to the system. We were not successful in the 2011 legislative session, but neither were the allopathic physicians. The insurance industry’s deep pockets continue to influence legislators into believing that care managed by the carrier’s case worker is the only means to save the system money. The UCA will be soliciting businesses and insurers to utilize chiropractic referrals as a means to not only save money, but to achieve maximum medical improvement more expediently for the injured worker.

Worker’s Comp Reform at the Capital?

Our lobbyist, Mr. Shaun Lepard, monitored the reform process and made every attempt to protect Chiropractic’s interest in Worker's Comp. It appeared that the trial lawyers would be the primary target of the current reform. The Unified hoped that we could use this period of reform to make positive changes for Chiropractic, including but not limited to increased chiropractic inclusion in the CWMP's (Certified Work Place Medical Plans).

What’s in the Mix?

The UCA is in the process of developing a statewide DC phone tree. This will serve two purposes. The first will give our association the ability to contact every DC in the state within one to two days, when critical issues (legislative or otherwise) arise and require immediate action by the profession. Example: When a bill critical to chiropractic is about to be voted on it appears it will have a close vote, all D.C.'s need to be informed that it is imperative they contact their legislators via email or phone and ask for their support of a pro-Chiropractic bill or their vote against anti-Chiropractic legislation.

In addition to numbers in the phone tree, the UCA needs every D.C.’s email address in order to e-blast, not only legislative emergencies, but other time sensitive chiropractic information, such as CE registrations, legal defense and PAC funding requests, deadlines to meet, and educational articles for the doctor, staff, and their patients.

Chiro-Pac has been renamed “Unified Chiropratic Pac.” The UCA board of directors decided that this would more clearly define our Political Action Committee as a Chiropractic Fund.

Who’s Your Legislator?

The UCA’s new website, OKLAHOMACHIROPRACTIC.ORG, will have a hot button to locate your legislator. Get acquainted with them. Search for two or more DC's in your area with which you can combine a PAC contributions for one or all of you to present to your local legislator(s). Invite them to lunch or coffee. These guys know that each doctor has influence over hundreds of local constituents whose votes will help reelect them. Inform them periodically about issues important to Chiropractic. This will help you build a good relationship, even if it is rocky at first. You can keep yourself informed by reviewing the UCA’s legislative reports via email blasts, website, or periodic news journals. Before setting up the coffee or luncheon meeting, contact the UCA office at (918)224-6078. Possibly one of the UCA representatives or lobbyists may be available to join you for your request. Call to acquire the latest talking points on the most critical issues or to gain some insight about the legislation.

The UCA Board is comprised of individual DCs who are duly elected in each district. Many of you have attended and voted in those district elections. These doctors donate time away from their practices and families to protect the rights of all Oklahoma DCs and make a difference for your pocketbook. A wise mentor once told me, “If we as doctors do not manage our business, we won’t be in business to provide the care and treatment our patients rely on!” Read your newsletter! If you hear any rumors or information pertinent to Chiropractic, good or bad, call the UCA immediately or please email UnifiedChiroAssoc.Okla@tulsacoxmail.com. We may be starting a news series titled, “The Rumor Mill” to clear up any misinformation. Names will be kept anonymous, unless otherwise requested. Let’s all attempt to clear up the old ones, lick our wounds, and move forward to achieve the better good for every DC in the great state of Oklahoma!