June 14, 2011

After the NCCA's call to action, legislators reconsidered their initial budget proposal to eliminate optional services from Medicaid -- meaning that chiropractic will not be affected.  Although Gov. Perdue just yesterday vetoed the state budget, the veto is expected to be overridden as early as tomorrow.  The initial budget also proposed to eliminate the sales tax exemption for nutritional products sold in chiropractic offices, but the NCCA legislative team was able to work behind the scenes to keep that in place.  Given the state's budget crisis, it has been a chaotic and interesting year at the legislature.

The NCCA has also been working to ensure that chiropractic care is well represented in North Carolina's state-based health insurance exchange, which is a product of President Obama's national health care reform legislation.  Just last week, the NCCA discussed this with Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin at an event in Charlotte.  The health insurance exchange will be a place where employers and individuals who do not receive health benefits through their jobs can turn to for health coverage.  The development of the exchange is just getting underway, but the NCCA will keep you updated as this process moves forward.  Please remember that the NCCA is always working for you and your patients!