The News:
‘Historic Victory’ for Chiropractic; S 1955 is Defeated
In what the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is calling a “historic victory for chiropractors and their patients,” S 1955, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act, was withdrawn from the Senate floor on May 11, 2006, and was effectively defeated when Democrats threatened to filibuster the bill. The small-business health plan legislation spurred a nearly 2-month-long grassroots lobbying campaign by the American Chiropractic Association and hundreds of provider and consumer groups that believed the bill would gut state patient-protection laws and leave millions of patients without crucial health care benefits.

The lobbying campaign kicked off in March during the ACA’s 31st annual National Chiropractic Legislative Conference (NCLC) in Washington, DC.

Your Views:
David Kellenberger, DC, Memphis, Tenn, said the defeat of S 1955 was “another great victory for the chiropractic profession, which reiterates the importance of our state and national organizations. These victories would not be possible if not for those unsung heroes behind the scenes. It is essential for all of us to get involved and to support these organizations if we want chiropractic to reach the masses."

Sean Reif, DC, Thornton, Colo, said S 1955 “has given an opportunity for grassroots chiropractic providers to reconnect with our political friends in our Rotary Clubs, in our meetings with our elected officials. It is a victory of communication. It feels good to get our voice heard. There is great value in acquaintance as an opportunity to do business. If we are to think nationally, we must act locally in our own many ways; a hand-written postcard carries more emphasis than thousands of facsimilies. Chiropractors have our ear to the ground of our community; we have a responsibility to participate in the political process. Run for city council, accept appointments to local or state commissions, and discuss issues from a moral/philosophical perspective. ‘The man with a compass is never lost.’”

Robert Baritz, DC, Brockton, Mass, said, “This is an important protection for my patients and for all US citizens, as it preserves their right to choose their own health care.”

The News:
Legislation to Expedite Chiropractic Care to Veterans

Congressmen Jeb Bradley (R–NH) and Bob Filner (D–CA) introduced a legislation to the federal government to expand chiropractic benefits through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) health care system. The legislation, HR 5202, requires the VA to have a DC on staff at 75 VA medical centers before the end of 2008.

According to Richard G. Brassard, DC, president of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), through previous congressional action, chiropractic care is currently available at 30 VA facilities nationwide. However, he says that in the more than 120 facilities without a DC, the chiropractic care benefit that Congress authorized for America’s veterans remains nonexistent. The legislation has been referred to the US House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for further consideration.

Your Views:
Tony Peters, DC, Charlotte, NC, said “The move to include chiropractic health care as an integral part of the VA system is long overdue. No one party bears the sole blame. This issue represents many facets with regards to public perception of chiropractic as a result of our continued infighting, poor public relations, and outside forces.”

Steven Paul Brown, DC, Tempe, Ariz, said, “I practice in Arizona, and, on several occasions, I have had veterans contact Arizona Senator John McCain's office directly, and Sen McCain has personally ordered the VA to pay for chiropractic care in our office. The VA in Arizona does pay for chiropractic care in our office when Sen McCain orders them to do so. But our veterans should not be forced to go that route to get chiropractic care. The HR 5202 legislation is long overdue, and we owe it to our veterans to get this bill passed and have chiropractic readily available to them. Our veterans should not have to contact their congressman's office in order to get chiropractic care.”

If you would like Chiropractic Products to contact you for your views on various topics, send an e-mail to dlubinsky@ascendmedia.com.