Senate Bill Introduced to Expand Veterans’ Access to Chiropractic Care
SOURCE: The American Chiropractic Association
The ACA and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) commend Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) for introducing legislation in the U.S. Senate designed to fully integrate chiropractic care as a covered service within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.
The bill, S.1147, specifically requires the VA to have a doctor of chiropractic on staff at all of its major medical facilities by 2014. The legislation was introduced on June 6, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.
ACA believes that integrating the services provided by doctors of chiropractic into the VA health care system would be cost-effective and speed the recovery of many veterans returning from current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. A February 2010 report from the Veterans Health Administration indicates that about half of all 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.
“ACA and ACC applaud the work of Sen. Blumenthal as he continues to advance causes that positively impact our nation’s veterans,” said ACA President Rick McMichael, DC. “America’s heroes are suffering from chronic, disabling pain, and yet many remain unable to access the beneficial care provided by doctors of chiropractic. I hope that Congress will act in our veterans’ best interest and pass this important legislation.”
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Frank, thank you for the V.A. update along with the other interesting/great articles on this blog. I’ve been following integration of chiropractic within the military for about 15 years. I actually applied for a position, but never even got an interview. I was told there was over 300 applicants for that one position.
I also applied for several open positions, but never had an interview. the last time I called I was told that the position had been filled. This will be a great opportunity for our profession and our progress.