About the Chiropractic Association of Oregon

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The CAO was founded following the unfortunate passage of the Oregon Worker's Compensation Reform Act in the Legislative Special Session of May 5, 1990. This Act severely hampered injured workers' access to chiropractic care. The CAO founders realized that better education of legislators, business leaders, the medical profession, the general public, and chiropractors themselves, was needed regarding the nature and benefits of chiropractic care.

In 1997, a new CAO Board, adopting the John Carver Methods of Governance, reorganized the association, returning its business philosophy and orientation to a platform more consistent with that of a traditional trade organization.

A Promising Future

Chiropractors in Oregon can feel confident that they have a trade organization that is prepared to grow with the ever changing needs of the individual physician and the profession.

The CAO is committed to taking the leadership role in educating members about legislative issues; encouraging members of the Chiropractic community to unite towards common goals; positioning chiropractors as active, viable, health care providers who are in tune with the political arena and ready to support issues of concern to chiropractors and chiropractic patients.

The CAO is a member of the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations. (COCSA) In addition, this membership gives our members a membership into the Chiropractic Buying Group.

Legislative Representation
The CAO works to ensure that the interests of the chiropractic profession and chiropractic patients are represented at the state level. With the aid of our professional lobbyist, Dr. LaVerne Saboe Jr., The CAO monitors legislation that impacts the chiropractic profession. We regularly educate members of the Oregon House of Representatives and Senate in order to promote legislation that supports the CAO mission.

Communications / Journal & Member Newsletters
The CAO publishes a journal designed to give members the most relevant information available in the timeliest fashion with helpful columns to keep members informed and up to date. Members, prospective members and the general public can also access the CAO's web site to learn general information about the CAO, chiropractic care, current events, legislative issues and educational programs.

ICEPAC
ICEPAC is the CAO's political action committee that enables us to promote those candidates and ballot initiatives that support chiropractic. The funding of ICEPAC is provided primarily by individual contributions from CAO members.

Conventions
The CAO's annual statewide convention, held each year in Portland, provides not only continuing education but the opportunity to both synergize and energize the chiropractic profession in Oregon.