Are We At the Table or On the Menu?

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There’s an old saying that perfectly demonstrates the importance of political grassroots action and financial contributions to lawmakers and candidates:

“If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re probably on the menu…”

First, a little history lesson about the importance of being at the table. In 1978, the Michigan Legislature underwent a total rewrite of Michigan’s Public Health Code. Prior to the passage of the new Code, Michigan’s chiropractic scope was similar to those found in most other states.

At the time, Michigan chiropractors were represented by at least four professional societies, competing for recognition, credibility, membership, and dues. They were poorly structured and often at odds, working against each other instead of together for the good of all chiropractors and chiropractic patients in the state. Our political influence and ability to protect ourselves and our patients were at an all-time low. In other words, the profession did not have a seat at the table.

The result? We were on the menu. Special interest groups used the opportunity to pass more than 100 amendments that severely limited the scope of chiropractic. Our scope became one of the most restrictive in the nation, artificially confining chiropractic to only a small portion of the services that identically trained chiropractors in other states could perform. This caused the profession to lose credibility with the legislature, third-party payers, and the public. The limited scope drove some chiropractors out of the state, discouraged new graduates from coming here to practice, and caused some patients to travel to neighboring states such as Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin to receive more comprehensive chiropractic care.

The scope would not change again until 2010 – more than 30 years later! – when MAC-developed legislation passed the Michigan Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Jennifer Granholm. If we had had a seat at the table in 1978, who knows how many chiropractic patients would have greatly benefitted over that 30+ years?

MAC-PAC: Guaranteeing a Seat at the Table!
Donations to chiropractic-friendly lawmakers and candidates through the Michigan Association of Chiropractors Political Action Committee (MAC-PAC) are one way we can guarantee a seat at that legislative table. By pooling our resources and supporting legislators and candidates who support chiropractic, we ensure continued political stability for our profession and the patients who choose chiropractic as part of their healing process.

By electing pro-chiropractic legislators, the MAC has the unique opportunity to shape public policy in favor of the profession. MAC-PAC also gives our Government Relations team the ability to play a significant and effective role while meeting with legislators and their staffs in and around the Michigan Capitol and championing unique, drug- and surgery-free chiropractic care.

It’s time for every MAC member to step up and become a contributing member of MAC-PAC, for the good of your practice, your patients, and your profession!

How Can You Get Involved? The “$24 for 2024 Campaign”!
With 2024 an election year, your contributions are critical in helping lawmakers and candidates understand the entire scope of health care and appreciate the vital role chiropractic plays in a vibrant, patient-centered health care system.

Your monthly donation of just $24 will go a long way to making our legislative goals a reality! To donate, click here and on “Donate Now,” select “Pick Your Donation,” put in 288 (that’s $24 per month), select “Split this annual donation into multiple payments,” and check the box that reads “Yes, I would like this donation to recur on annual basis.”

Or, to heighten your impact, make the entire donation all at once. This allows us to maximize our political contributions this cycle and truly make a difference!

MAC-PAC Lansing Insider Newsletter
As a “thank you” to contributors to MAC-PAC, we have developed the Lansing Insider newsletter. This publication is for MAC-PAC contributors only, and it will serve as a guide to the issues the MAC Government Relations team is working on and following, as well as provide information on the topics and issues that are important in Lansing. This engaging publication will also demonstrate how your PAC contributions are advancing our organizational mission and the profession.

Donate today and ensure you get access to the MAC-PAC Lansing Insider!

Revamped MAC-PAC Facebook Page Now Active!
The Government Relations and Public Relations teams are also collaborating on a new and improved MAC-PAC Facebook page!

The page will complement the MAC-PAC Lansing Insider newsletter with relevant political and legislative news and information. Be sure to “Like” and follow us today!