The war drums are beating again.  The buzz of concern is rising and there is talk of enemies at the gate.  The siege is on and the enemy is doing their best to restrict the influx of basic necessities needed to keep us alive.  

While such talk was common for the crusader period or the medieval time frame, the same can be said in the present day.  The Texas Medical Association, given impetus and support by the American Medical Association, has filed, as we have reported extensively, a lawsuit to use the court system to limit the scope of a chiropractic physician's diagnostic practice.

"OOoooo!  He said the 'P' word!"  I can hear some of our profession, and most of our medical counterparts say.

"You CAN'T call yourself a physician!!!  ONLY M.D.s and D.O.s can be physicians, and we're not too sure about the D.O.s!"  I have heard our medical counterparts claim.

I'm sorry, BUT the Chiropractic Act says "we can be one, we just can't advertise it"*; the federal government currently says  we provide "physician level services"*; and an attorney general of the State of Texas has said that "when used as a descriptor in conjunction with chiropractor, 'physician' is equivalent to the word 'doctor'".*  Chiropractic physicians are held to the same standards, the same levels of care, the same case law as medical physicians.  Our difference is only in the limitations to our practice (no dangerous drugs, no radiation therapy, no incisive surgery), and our perspectives on healing.  In every other respect we are supposed to be "of the same family." 

So, while the law may currently say that we have to pretend to the public that we are not physicians--even though the number of state and federal rules and regulations that say we are, are in greater number than the one that says we may not say so--the day will come when this law will be seen for what it is; and the litigation which led to this gag upon us will be seen for the sham that it was.

The bottom line folks is that the TMA and the AMA have started shoving us, and other "allied health care providers", around again.  While claiming the high ground of moral superiority, AND at the same time having the chutzpah to claim that they are "team players", these political medicine associations are AGAIN starting to wage a "turf war" in order to restrict the estates of others while enlarging their own.  It's time to punch the bully in the mouth!!!

Being a wordsmith, I found some interesting facts about the word  BULLY.  Originally from the 1530s this word was a derivative of words in other languages indicating a "sweetheart".  The word gradually deteriorated from "sweetheart" or "brother", to "fine fellow", to "blusterer" to "harasser of the weak" through the 17th century.  This deterioration culminates in the mid to late 1600s in the word "bully-ruffian" connecting the sense between "lover" and "ruffian" as in "protector of a prostitute", which was one sense of "bully" in 1706. **

I think the word "bully" aptly describes the history and the actions of the political medical associations--"sweethearts"->"brothers"->"fine fellows"->"blusterers"->"harasser of the weak"->"bully-ruffian".  It is again time that our profession arise and with unity stand against the ruffians who are harassing us.  THEY started this siege and now it is time for us to join together, to pool our resources and to see it through until we overcome the ruffians. 

The TMA v. TBCE court case is one such campaign and is demanding our immediate attention.  There are other fronts to this battle and we need to prepare to defend all the fronts that we are capable of defending. This is a court case and, as we have seen in the past, ANYTHING goes in a court case--even the opposing attorney marrying the judge a scant few weeks after the trial!

The TBCE has capable representation from the Attorney General's office of the State of Texas;  the TCA has hired Jennifer Riggs to serve as lead council, and Michelle Quattlebaum will serve as attorney in defense of chiropractors in this case.  The ACA has recognized the importance of this case to the whole profession and is contributing to the litigation fund.

At stake in THIS litigation is the ability to diagnose, and having a court set scope of chiropractic practice is a very real possibility.  Regardless of who prevails, this case will most likely be appealed as far as financial coffers will allow.  In ANY event, the war chest needs to be replenished because we will either be spending money in litigation, spending money for political objectives, or MOST likely NEEDING to spend money on both. 

The bully is shoving others around so that they can claim a larger share of other's "street corners." Litigation is underway and appeals are expected; legislative initiatives on both sides are expected, and the AMA has announced that limiting others will be their method of operation. 

It's time to shove the bully back onto their own corner.  Help the profession to do that by contributing to the war chest HERE. 

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* No, these are NOT direct quotes, but rather are paraphrases.

** Online Etymology Dictionary, entry for Bully; found HERE