Health Care Reform

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Individual Mandate Requirement

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE:   Medscape Medical News
NOTE: Enrollment on Medscape is Free

June 29, 2011 — A federal appeals court in Cincinnati, Ohio, today placed its constitutional stamp of approval on the linchpin of the embattled Affordable Care Act (ACA): the requirement that individuals either obtain health insurance coverage or pay a penalty.

Today’s decision is the first one on the federal appellate level regarding the healthcare reform law passed last year. So far, 2 federal district judges have declared the so-called individual mandate unconstitutional, saying that Congress has no right under the constitution’s commerce clause to regulate an individual’s economic “inactivity.” In contrast, 3 other federal district judges have agreed with the position of the Obama administration that uninsured “free riders” are indeed active participants in the healthcare marketplace, receiving free or subsidized services when needed, and driving up premiums and healthcare costs for others in the process.

The various district cases are now making their way through the federal appellate courts, with their final destination being the US Supreme Court. (more…)

What NCCAM Says About Chiropractic

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE:   National Center For Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on the relationship between the body’s structure—mainly the spine—and its functioning. Although practitioners may use a variety of treatment approaches, they primarily perform adjustments (manipulations) to the spine or other parts of the body with the goal of correcting alignment problems, alleviating pain, improving function, and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Key Points

• People seek chiropractic care primarily for pain conditions such as back pain, neck pain, headache, and extremity (e.g., hand or foot)
• In the United States, chiropractic practitioners must meet the licensing and continuing education requirements of the state in which they practice. All states require practitioners to complete a Doctor of Chiropractic degree program at a properly accredited college. (more…)

Chiropractic Legislative Agenda ~ News Update

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE:   International Chiropractors Association

November 16, 2010 — In the Congressional changes that just took place Nov. 2, 2010, the chiropractic profession lost several longstanding advocates, but fortunately retained a greater number of allies.

There have been numerous statements about using the appropriations process to “de-fund” health reform implementation and also talk of outright repeal of some or all of the law’s provisions. The outcome of the 2010 Congressional elections notwithstanding, the prospects of any legislative repeal of any of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are minimal to impossible (it would take 60 votes in the U.S. Senate to pass and 67 Senate votes to override a Presidential veto).

There will be two so-called “Lame Duck” sessions before the new Congress is sworn in. During that time, it is logical to assume that the Democratic majority in both houses will use this limited time to clean up as much unfinished business on their agenda as possible.

Among issues to top concern to chiropractic are:

• Senate passage of Rep. Bob Filner’s chiropractic veterans legislation: Thanks to the courageous and determined efforts of Rep Bob Filner (D-CA), HR 1017 passed the U.S. House of Representatives on May 24, 2010.

(more…)