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ICA Executive Committee Drafts Statement on Koren vs. FTC

Here is the news we've all been waiting for. The ICA has come out with it's support for the FTC battle. And very nicely too! The importance of this cannot be underestimated. This is very good news and strengthens our already strengthening case. This does not mean we have won of course, only that a major national chiropractic organization recognizes the danger inherent in an FTC victory and that the FTCs actions are a threat to ALL chiropractors in the US and ALL chiropractic education, whether written or verbal.

By Tedd Koren, D.C.

Here is the news we’ve all been waiting for. The ICA has come out with it’s support for the FTC battle. And very nicely too! The importance of this cannot be underestimated. This is very good news and strengthens our already strengthening case. This does not mean we have won of course, only that a major national chiropractic organization recognizes the danger inherent in an FTC victory and that the FTCs actions are a threat to ALL chiropractors in the US and ALL chiropractic education, whether written or verbal (remember, they said they could regulate lay lectures and violators could face a $10,000.00 fine for each violation.)

After a considerable period of study, investigation and intense discussions with the attorneys involved in the case, ICA*s Executive Committee has drafted a strong statement on the recent actions of the Federal Trade Commission to extend its authority to communications between health care professionals and the public.

At their June 9, 1999 meeting, the ICA Executive Committee authorized the release of the following statement:

Statement on Koren vs FTC: The International Chiropractors Association is deeply disturbed by the recent actions on the part of the Federal Trade Commission to restrict the free communication of a doctor of chiropractic with the public. ICA holds that the actions of the FTC should be opposed and that the chiropractic profession should unite in an effort to support any doctor who is prosecuted for truthfully communicating with the public about the chiropractic profession.

ICA encourages all DCs to support Dr. Ted Koren in his case. ICA believes that the profession must watch the actions of the FTC very carefully and develop meaningful efforts to stop their anti-chiropractic orientation.

ICA’s efforts to fully understand the implications of the recent FTC actions have included high level, face-to-face meetings with FTC officials, a careful study of the statues and regulations from which that agency draws its authority and a meeting between ICA’s Board of Directors and James S. Turner, the lead attorney representing Dr. Koren. “This case represents somewhat of a fishing expedition on the part of the FTC.” said ICA President Dr. Bob Hoffman. “There is reason to dispute their being involved in matters like doctor-patient communication at all and ICA is committed to an on-going process to help in the fight to keep the FTC out of these kinds of issues.”

While the exact outcome of the Koren case is yet to be determined, the greater matter of FTC policies and procedures needs to be addressed to keep that agency from extending its on-going activities to doctor-patient communications. This is not a situation that lends itself to immediate Congressional or grass roots pressure at this time. ICA anticipates further meetings with FTC officials, close coordination with Dr. Koren’s legal team and participation in efforts to better educate FTC decision-makers about the science and practice of chiropractic. ICA will keep you fully informed of developments in this vitally important matter.

planetc1.com-news @ 10:16 | Article ID: 931274195

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