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Accident Reconstruction Research: Insurance Fraud

April 8, 1998

Mr. David E. Kelly
Producer, "The Practice"
ABC-TV
10201 West Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035

Dear Mr. Kelly:

As the country's largest professional association for doctors of chiropractic (D.C.s), the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) would like to comment on the April 6 episode of "The Practice," which featured a storyline involving a chiropractor heading up an auto insurance fraud ring. We trust that the storyline on your program was meant to increase public awareness and help put an end to this type of abuse — not an implication that doctors of chiropractic as a profession are unethical.

The ACA has repeatedly spoken out against the type of behavior depicted in your broadcast. Not only does insurance fraud drive up the cost of health care and insurance for millions of Americans, but it also taints the reputation of the tens of thousands of ethical doctors of chiropractic in the country. The ACA believes that anyone found guilty of insurance fraud — whether they are medical doctors, lawyers, or chiropractors — should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

As you know, every profession has its "bad apples," and the chiropractic profession is no exception. However, the chiropractic profession, the medical profession and the legal community must all share the responsibility of weeding out the unscrupulous practitioners involved in auto insurance fraud and other unethical activities.

In fairness, we hope you will point out in future episodes that the vast majority of the country's doctors of chiropractic are honest and respectable practitioners whose main concern is the health and welfare of their patients. Please feel free to call the ACA at (800) 986-4636 if you have any questions in the future related to chiropractic health care or the chiropractic profession.

Sincerely,
Michael Pedigo, D.C.
President, American Chiropractic Association