Five of Logan University’s Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) students had the opportunity to attend the American Chiropractic Association’s (ACA) Engage 2025 conference in Washington, D.C. earlier this year. As members of Logan’s Student American Chiropractic Association (SACA), the students accompanied ACA members as they lobbied on Capitol Hill for the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act.
Learn more about their experience in SACA and at the ACA Engage 2025 conference through the Q&A below.
What is the ACA Engage Conference?
Gail Savage, trimester 7 DC student: The ACA Engage conference is an annual conference and lobbying event attended by ACA members and SACA members from various chiropractic schools. The SACA and ACA members lobby for profession-related issues—this year’s focus was chiropractic Medicare coverage. There are also professional development and networking opportunities available.
Eric Lopez, trimester 8 DC student: The conference encourages students to get involved and advocate for the chiropractic profession and its accessibility for all individuals. It gives us first-hand experience of the work the ACA puts into the progress and recognition of the profession.
Christian Leach, president of Logan’s SACA and trimester 4 DC student: When we first arrived, ACA members briefed us on what to expect during our time with the state representatives. We were assigned groups with other students and ACA members and given state representatives to talk to the following day.
We also had time to talk with other SACA members and hear about their chapter’s successes and challenges. As president, it was helpful to gather their feedback so I can use it to grow the club at Logan.
Noel Camello, vice president of Logan’s SACA and trimester 8 DC student: The conference was overwhelming in the best way. There was so much knowledge shared amongst so many individuals that was truly invaluable… It was an incredible opportunity.
What is the Medicare Modernization Act and what did your lobbying efforts include?
Gail: The Medicare Modernization Act is a call to Congress to include all chiropractic care under Medicare coverage. Medicaid currently covers exams, X-rays and spinal adjustments for patients in Missouri, but when patients transition to Medicare with age, only spinal adjustments are covered. This means no extremity adjustments, modalities, X-rays or exams are covered, even though it’s under our scope of practice and the patient may have utilized the broader coverage of benefits before.
Sara Crews, trimester 7 DC student: We met with members of the House of Representatives and Senate to explain the issue and advocate for the Medicare Modernization Act. Some of the meetings were short, while others lasted over 20 minutes. Nearly everyone was surprised at the limited scope of chiropractic care covered by Medicare and shocked that legislation has not advanced on the issue since 1972.
Eric: The Medicare Modernization Act would essentially allow chiropractors to facilitate all steps of treatment without requiring patients to see other providers for services we are trained to provide. It’s easier and more cost-effective for the patients.
Sara: It also helps legitimize the chiropractic profession. Many people don’t realize we can provide these services that save them time and money. This would allow chiropractors to better serve Medicare patients.
How did it feel being involved in advocacy discussions on Capitol Hill?
Gail: It was incredible. These decisions affect us and our future patients, so it’s good to be involved. It was also nice having established chiropractic professionals believe in us and encourage us to use our voices. They truly trusted and respected our opinions.
As students, we are learning how to be doctors and improve our patients’ lives, but this was an opportunity to make a nationwide impact and advocate for the profession as a whole.
Christian: Like Gail said, the chiropractic professionals see us as the future of the profession—because we are. They want us to be involved and are eager to help us become leaders. It’s like passing the torch to the next generation. Being involved with SACA and attending ACA Engage has opened my eyes and allowed me to see the bigger picture for the entire chiropractic profession.
Noel: It was refreshing to meet so many like-minded, kind people who share the same passion for learning and sharing chiropractic knowledge. Seeing the congressmen gain interest in chiropractic through our lobbying efforts was one of the best parts of the weekend.
Why should students get involved with SACA?
Christian: Being a SACA member has a lot of benefits. In addition to being invited to ACA events like Engage, it’s a great opportunity to network and be involved with the evolution of the profession before even graduating.
Noel: As important as it is to learn and master the clinical techniques that are taught in school, it’s also very important to connect with other students and chiropractors who have different perspectives and experiences. SACA is excellent for closing the disconnect between the clinical and social side of being a chiropractic physician.
Eric: Students can join SACA during any trimester, but I would highly encourage earlier trimesters to get involved. SACA helps build a community on campus and, as Christian mentioned, gives you additional chances to network both on and off campus. At Engage, I worked with the delegate from Kentucky who has connections with people all around the world—expanding my network more than I ever knew possible.
Sara: I agree with Eric. Getting involved early makes the experience and end results even more rewarding. There’s strength in numbers and being involved with SACA benefits you and the profession. We can have two legislative representatives, but I am currently the only one! There is plenty of room for representation and leadership within SACA at Logan.
Christian: We meet a few times a trimester and I am planning an event in the spring for students who are interested in SACA, the ACA and learning what we do. While the event details haven’t been confirmed, we’ll share information on our Instagram account, @LoganSACA. If any students are interested in joining, they can reach out to me (Christian.Leach@Logan.edu) for more information.