BRAVO TO THE ASSOCIAZIONE ITALIANA CHIROPRATICI! Number of years since the Associazione Italiana Chiropractici (AIC) was formed – 33. Number of years since the fi rst proposal for an amendment to the Italian budget law – 17. Number of chiropractors in Italy – 300. Finally achieving professional recognition for chiropractors – priceless! December 21, 2007, saw the legal acceptance of chiropractic as a primary health-care profession in the country of Italy. This came in the form of an amendment inserted into the annual budget law which opened the doors for the profession to join Italy’s nationalized health-care system. The profession owes a debt of gratitude to Senator Luigi Lusi who fi rst presented the amendment and almost single-handedly guided it out of the Senate’s Budget Committee, thus assuring acceptance from the Senate itself. The proposed amendment was taken to the Camera – the lower house of Italy’s bi-cameral parliament – where it was attacked by lobbyists from the Ital- ian Medical Association – which has been trying, for years, to monopolize non-conventional therapies – and the Italian Health Minister – who is notoriously against recognizing chiropractic as a primary health-care profession. The AIC adeptly responded, ‘blow-by-blow’, by lobbying and rallying the support of several parliamentarians. Senator Lusi – who is with the Margherita Party of the Majority – tirelessly persisted in his conviction to attain recognition for the profes- sion by emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of chiropractic in a system so burdened with health-care costs. Bi-partisan support evolved through the On. Manuela Di Centa, who is the Deputy from the opposition party, Forza Ita- lia – and a former world cross-country skiing champion whose career was prolonged through chiropractic. This bi-partisan col- laboration, on the part of the majority and opposition parties, secured the passage of the amendment, thereby recognizing chiropractic within the Italian medical system. Dr. John Williams writes: “When Senator Lusi presented us with this opportunity, the AIC organized an impromptu lobby- ing center in Rome, connected in real time with the secretaries at the AIC headquarters in Genoa, to coordinate and promote the passage of this amendment….but the real difference be- tween this…and many failed attempts…lies in the commitment demonstrated by Senator Lusi and On. Di Centa.” The AIC, and indeed, the entire chiropractic profession, thank Senator Lusi and On. Di Centa for their work in bringing about this fantastic development. The AIC will be celebrating this extraordinary victory, for chiro- practic, from June 26-28, 2008 in Rimini, Italy, while hosting the return of the Parker Seminars to Europe. Says Dr. Williams: “You’re all invited to help make this a memorable event for the entire profession!” www.canadianchiropractor.ca CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | FEBRUARY 2008 • 41 news
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor March 20008: Page 41
