Demand Chiropractic in the New National Health Care Plan
The government is currently deciding the “minimum” benefits that will be provided in the new National Health Care Plan. Chiropractic services are in danger of being left out.
When Congress passed national healthcare legislation in March, they gave the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) the authority to determine the categories of services which must be included in future health plans. The initial categories being considered do not include “neuromusculoskeletal care”, which is the core of what is treated by chiropractors. Unless neuromusculoskeletal care is added as an essential benefit category, chiropractic care will be left out of the plan.
The purpose of the Chiropractic Essential Benefit Campaign is to bring pressure on the HHS to make sure your patients have access to care. If the federal government decides that chiropractic services do not have to be covered, states around the country are almost certain to adopt this standard for workers compensation, and personal injury.
Your profession, your income, and the health of your patients is at risk. Be proactive to save chiropractic
Leaving chiropractic care out of healthcare reform would have a devastating effect on the overall health and productivity of our country. Each day, millions of Americans rely on the chiropractic adjustment to help them achieve better health and at the very least, feel better. Every chiropractor throughout this great nation needs to spread the message to thier patients and the communities they serve about this threat!
I believe the best thing that could happen to chiropractic is that we all be eliminated from all “sick care” plans. What we have to today is not healthcare…it’s sick care. Without the barrier if insurance ruining the doctor/patient relationship…we as a profession would thrive!
Interesting point you make Dr. Tobin. That is very true because a lot of my patients only see me once or twice. I think our healthcare system is so messed up right now that you could be right on with that statement. I think I’ve pretty much given up on our healthcare system so it will be interesting to see what happens.
I have an appreciation for the idealism my fellow chiropractic practitioners have regarding participating in a “new national health care plan”. In my opinion, we want to be invited to the dance if you will. With the ever increasing health care costs we now may be in a position to shine in a rather dull and costly health care environment. The chiropractic profession is getting respectable results regarding patient care in the literature. We are also cost-effective. This profession needs to be involved in pain/sick care and health care.
A few lifestyle changes can improve our nation’s health and save our country a lot of money: Eat less food. Eat healthier food. Exercise. Don’t smoke. Get adjusted by your chiropractor. These simple lifestyle choices all have a positive long-term impact on your health and can drastically reduce the cost of nation’s health-care.