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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Tyler Pointer marketing@chirotexas.org (512) 477-9292 March 13, 2020 Texas Supreme Court Grants Petitions from TBCE, TCA in Nerve Case AUSTIN, TX—The Supreme Court of Texas granted TCA’s and TBCE’s petitions today in the lawsuit brought by the Texas Medical Association (TMA) commonly known as the “nerve case.” The state’s highest court will review a decision by the Austin Court of Appeals, which previously struck down TBCE’s rules allowing nerves in the legal scope of chiropractic. By agreeing to hear the case, the Supreme Court will take a closer look at TBCE’s rules regarding the role of nerves in chiropractic and could uphold TBCE’s rules upon further review. Only about 10% of petitions are granted by the Court each year. In its reply brief to the Supreme Court submitted in October 2019, TCA’s legal team noted that TBCE’s definition of the subluxation complex is accurate, does not open the door to the entire nervous system, and should not be minimized by TMA. TCA also stated that TMA’s arguments for a narrow definition of the “musculoskeletal system” fall short and that the Texas Legislature has not endorsed a narrow interpretation of the Chiropractic Act. Finally, TCA contended that TMA’s arguments regarding Vestibular-Ocular-Nystagmus Testing (VONT), a diagnostic test that checks eye movements, are not valid. “Nerves have always played an essential role in chiropractic. TCA believes that TMA’s efforts to remove nerves from the scope of practice lack any merit,” said TCA President Chad Carpenter, DC, a licensed chiropractor practicing in Boerne, Texas. “We are thankful the Supreme Court is granting the petitions and giving this case a closer look. The outcome is pivotal to the future of the profession in Texas and could impact the health of thousands of chiropractic patients in the Lone Star State.” While the Supreme Court granted the petitions, no date has been set for oral argument at this time. The Austin, Texas-based firm of Weisbart Springer Hayes LLP is representing TCA in this case. For over 100 years, the Texas Chiropractic Association (TCA) has served as the essential voice for chiropractic in Texas. TCA provides protection, state-wide advocacy, information and education for the more than 6,800 Doctors of Chiropractic who actively practice in Texas, and its 2,000 members. # # #