For the last several months of this year since the Reno meeting/convention OCCD has had 2 very successful speaker meetings. The first one in February was CCA's Linda Coltrin presenting the nuts and bolts of Medicare Insurance and showed the need for future in-depth presentations. Major emphasis was placed on the necessity for proper documentation by doctors. Otherwise severe penalties could be encountered.

In April PI Attorney Shawn Steel presented the need for doctors to get more information, especially the police report, to determine if doctor could get paid for their services. Additionally in our current cost containing environment there is a need for patients to start taking some responsibility for the continuing cost of treatments while legal issues are resolved. Diane Harman was present and made an appeal for support in her race for the CA 67th Assembly District seat. She is an advocate of chiropractic care.

Generally monthly OCCD board meetings are held to plan these quarterly speaker meetings as well as to get ready for this year's elections. Unfortunately distribution of ballets will be late this year due the current work load of CCA in getting them to us. We do have a full slate of volunteers to continue working and focusing on helping patients get the care needed in this current cost-conscious insurer-control climate.

During our last board meeting discussions were conducted on the CCA's proposal to centralize funds and provide speaker meetings to areas throughout the year. There was major concern that in doing this probably would demoralize those districts that do their part effectively already, plus add labor costs to CCA when such work is already being successfully done by volunteers in active districts. Consensus of board members was to vote no on such this proposal unless their was some opt-out provision for active districts. A pilot program on CCA's proposal was suggested before full conversion was voted on.

Respectively submitted,

Geo. F. Burdi, D.C., Q.M.E.; 949/770-6922
CCA-OCCD Director & Past President
UNITED WE STAND, ...; http://www.occhiro.org
http://home.pacbell.net/drburdi; HAPPY NEW YEAR