American Chiropractic Association Hails House Legislation Expanding Chiropractic Benefit Within VA

(Arlington, Va.) -- The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) today expressed support for newly introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives designed to codify chiropractic as a covered service through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. Representative Bob Filner, D-Calif., introduced HR 1017 late last week. The bill, which is similar to legislation introduced in 2007, specifically requires the VA to have a doctor of chiropractic on staff at all VA medical facilities by 2012. It also amends the current statute, the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001, ensuring that chiropractic benefits cannot be denied. “The ACA and ACC applaud the work of Rep. Filner as he continues to advocate for both chiropractic and our nation’s veterans,” said ACA President Glenn Manceaux, DC. “Veterans want, need and deserve access to chiropractic care, and it is our goal to ensure that chiropractic is ultimately available and accessible at every major VA health care facility.” Further, ACC President Dr. Carl Cleveland III noted, “The chiropractic educational community welcomes the opportunity to position its graduates and the profession to serve our nation’s veterans, and this legislation allows veterans’ easier access to chiropractic care. With a reported 49 percent of eligible veterans returning with neuromusculoskeletal issues, the need for expanded access to chiropractic services has never been more crucial.” Through previous congressional action, chiropractic care is now available at 32 VA facilities across the country; however, in the more than 120 facilities without a chiropractor on staff, the chiropractic care benefit Congress authorized for America’s veterans remains virtually non-existent. Detroit, Denver, and Chicago are a few examples of major metropolitan areas without a doctor of chiropractic available at the local VA medical facility. According to ACA Vice President of Government Relations John Falardeau, without a congressional directive, further expansion to VA facilities will be on a case-by-case basis and will be excruciatingly slow. The ACA believes that integrating chiropractic treatment into the VA health care system would not only be cost-effective, it would also speed the recovery of many of the veterans returning from current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. A January 2009 report from the Veterans Health Administration indicates that over 49 percent of veterans returning from the Middle East and Southwest Asia who have sought VA health care were treated for symptoms associated with musculoskeletal ailments – the top complaint of those tracked for the report. HR 1017 has been referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. To view the full text of HR 1017, click here. Contact your Member of Congress and urge them to cosponsor HR 1017.

 

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