The British Columbia Chiropractic Association (BCCA) has a great opportunity over the next few months to influence the future direction of Health Care within the Province.

Recently, Premier Gordon Campbell announced that the Ministry of Health and the Province of British Columbia will be initiating "The Conversation on Health", a new program to gauge the views and recommendations of British Columbians on the future of the Health Care system. During this "Conversation", British Columbians will be asked how to make British Columbia healthier, and how to improve and renew our health system, while strengthening the Canada Health Act. At the same time, the Province needs to find new ways to make our Health Care system more sustainable for the future because of the aging population, and the introduction of new technologies and treatment options.

This discussion process presents the BCCA with an excellent opportunity to have a real voice in determining the Chiropractic professions future involvement in British Columbia's Health Care system. More importantly, it is a chance for the BCCA to promote the responsible care and attention that we can deliver on a daily basis to our patients. In addition, this is another channel for us to use to educate the BC Government, and most particularly the Ministry of Health on the non-surgical, and non-prescription approach we take in caring for the 500,000 British Columbians we see each year.

Over the next few months, the BCCA needs you to be vocal, visible and involved during this "Conversation on Health", as we are aware that many of the other health professions are mobilizing their membership to actively promote their causes in a variety of ways. To this end, below you will find a number of approaches for process involvement and we ask that each of our members complete at least one.

1. Participate by registering to appear before one of the 16 regional forums to be held in a community near you. Register here for information on regional forums.

2. Participate by submitting your thoughts online and voice your concerns about the Health Care system, while at the same time reflect on the input of others through web-based discussion boards.
Join the online discussion here.

3. Participate by talking to your friends and family and patients about the need to be heard and involved.
Finally, we need to seize this opportunity to address the concerns and frustration we have experienced over the years, as a health profession which represents 1/3 of the utilization of the overall Health Care system. Moreover, as a member of the British Columbia Chiropractic Association, the "Conversation on Health" allows you to voice your individual opinions on the future direction of our Health Care system, while at the same time to actively promote chiropractic care as a sustainable health care option within the Province.

If you have any questions or require more information about the "Conversation on Health", please feel free to call me at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Dr. Heather McLeod
President, British Columbia Chiropractic Association
Office 604-270-1332
www.bcchiro.com