The American Chiropractic Association Gets Legislation Passed by Congress
For too long patients needing chiropractic care have been denies by their insurance carriers; however, recent legislation has been passed to prevent this.
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has succeeded in getting important pro-chiropractic legislation introduced in Congress. If enacted into law, the bills will increase patient access to the services provided by chiropractic physicians.
The Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Its House companion bill, H.R. 921, was introduced by Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine). The bills would require the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to have a chiropractic physician on staff at all major medical facilities by 2016.
The second bill, H.R. 741, the Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act was introduced by Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa). The bill calls for extending chiropractic services to military retirees, dependents, and survivors. Chiropractic services include diagnosis including X-ray tests; evaluation and management; and therapeutic services for the treatment of neuro-musculoskeletal health conditions.
A third bill, Chiropractic Membership in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Act of 2013, would require the inclusion of Doctors of Chiropracty in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, which consists of more than 6,000 public health professionals who are involved with disease prevention programs and advancing public health.
That last bill, Access to Frontline Health Care Act, help chiropractic physicians, and other selected healthcare professionals, repay their student loans if in exchange they establish and maintain practices in medically underserved areas.
ACA president Keith Overland notes, “Those who have made sacrifices for our country—especially veterans, active-duty military and their family members—deserve access to the best health care available, which includes chiropractic services. I am urging every chiropractic physician, chiropractic student and chiropractic supporter to contact their congressional representatives and urge them to cosponsor these bills and to help military families in need.”
This is just the beginning of legislation that has been much needed by tens-of-thousands of Americans and lawmakers hope to increase the laws to further meet the needs of those seeking chiropractic care. For those who are advocates of chiropractic medicine and the alternative treatments that are associated with the practice, take the time to speak with your local representative to stress the level of importance this matter has to you. Alternatively, speak with your insurance carrier and inquire about coverage for chiropractic care, if they do not offer this service, you may want to seek out a provider who does.
For more information, visit www.acatoday.org.
About the Author: My name is Ryan and I enjoy writing about healthcare-related issues, such as ways to treat migraine headaches, how to prevent injury when exercising, and where to locate the best chiropractic care in North Scottsdale, Arizona.
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