Senate Legislation Introduced to Expand Chiropractic Benefit Within VA Health Care System

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) today commended Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., for introducing legislation in the U.S. Senate designed to fully integrate chiropractic as a covered service within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.
 
The bill, S.1204<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:s1204is.txt.pdf>, specifically requires the VA to have a doctor of chiropractic on staff at all VA medical facilities by 2012. The legislation was introduced June 8.
 
"The ACA and ACC applaud the work of Sen. Murray as she continues to advance causes that positively impact our nation's veterans," said ACA President Glenn Manceaux, DC. "Because the VA continues to drag its feet on this issue, American veterans who suffer from chronic and disabling pain remain unable to access the essential services of a doctor of chiropractic."
 
ACC President Frank Nicchi, DC, MS, noted, "We are very pleased that Sen. Murray recognizes the value and necessity of full access to chiropractic care by our nation's veterans."
 
Sen. Murray is a recognized champion for veterans throughout the country. She is the daughter of a disabled World War II veteran and is the first woman to serve on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
 
A companion bill, HR 1017<http://www.acatoday.org/press_css.cfm?CID=3293>, was introduced in February by Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif.
 
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 doctor of chiropractic 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.
 
S.1204 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
 
Contact your Senators and urge them to cosponsor S.1204.<http://vocusgr.vocus.com/grconvert1/WebPublish/Controller.aspx?SiteName=AMCHRONew&Definition=ViewIssue&IssueID=5716>
 
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact gr@acatoday.org.