With Lewis Squires, DC, ACA-PAC chair
As the presidential and congressional campaigns begin to heat up, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is asking all doctors of chiropractic, chiropractic patients, and anyone else with an interest in the services provided by doctors of chiropractic to become inherently aware of the high stakes associated with this year’s election and to help make chiropractic’s presence known.
Candidates are starting to become more involved and will become even more visible leading up to Election Day, Nov. 8. To help make candidates better aware of issues facing chiropractic and chiropractic patients, ACA is urging the profession to consider taking the following actions:
Attend a campaign rally where the candidate will appear in an “open forum” type of event. Of course, this year, many of these events may still be “virtual” and many times these events may require registration, but attendees are free to ask a candidate’s views on any number of issues. These events serve as great opportunities to express your views and ask a candidate for their opinions on chiropractic.
Go to a house party with your friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Candidates are often very receptive to these types of gatherings. Again, be reminded that this year, these types of smaller events may also still be virtual. House parties serve as an opportunity to get to know a candidate one-on-one and provide them with personal insight and first-hand knowledge related to chiropractic.
Write letters supporting chiropractic to your local newspaper or other print media outlets. Candidates pay special attention to newspaper opinion pages and often serve as their “first stop” in the morning. The more letters to your local newspaper that mention chiropractic, the more the candidate will learn of the importance of chiropractic in your community.
It is very important that the profession participates in the 2022 election, especially with the ongoing implementation of national healthcare reform and possible changes to Medicare, including the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, on the table. Please take the time now to become familiar with the candidates and take an active role in enhancing the health of your patients and your profession! Above all, BE VISIBLE! Let the candidates, and their staff, know that chiropractic physicians are a vital part of the community.
Find further information on ACA Get Out The Vote activities at www.acatoday.org/GOTV. For any additional questions, contact the ACA Department of Public Policy and Advocacy at (703) 812-0228 or [email protected].
Dr. Overland is chair of the ACA Legislative Committee and Dr. Squires is chair of the ACA Political Action Committee (ACA PAC).
