Chiropractic Veteran’s Bill Passes In The House

Just in time for Memorial Day 2007, the US House of Representatives has putChiropractic access to all veterans one step closer to reality. The legislature gaveapproval to the Bill HR 1470. The measure will make Chiropractic available in all major Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare facilities by the end of 2011. The House of Representatives vote was 421 in favor and only 1 dissenting.

This vote is a major step in the right direction, both for the Congress of the United States recognizing the value of Chiropractic care and for the members of our armed forces who will benefit from treatment. Currently 30 VA facilities across the country offer Chiropractic services leaving over 120 facilities without any services available.

This will be handled in the years to come with this bill requiring that 75 facilities come on line with Chiropractic care by the end of 2009 and the remainder by the end of 2011. This will extend Chiropractic services into such cities as Detroit, Denver and Chicago, just a few of the major metropolitan areas without a Doctor of Chiropractic available to veterans right now.

“The health and well-being of our nation’s veterans is one of America’s most important obligations. This legislation will greatly improve the availability of Chiropractic care to veterans young and old,” said Dr. Richard Brassard, president of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).

Congressman Bob Filner of California, a strong supporter of Chiropractic and extending care benefits to military retirees as well as active duty personnel, helped to spearhead the legislation through the House. He remarked that he was pleased to work closely with “Chiropractic patients, particularly our veterans, who know the benefits of Chiropractic care and bear witness to the positive outcomes and preventative health benefits of Chiropractic.”

Integrating Chiropractic treatment into the VA healthcare system is not only costeffective, it will speed the recovery of many of the veterans returning from the current operations in the Middle East, according to ACA leadership. A 2006 report from the VA indicates that over 40% of veterans returning from recent military actions have required treatment for the symptoms of musculoskeletal ailments. They can all certainly benefit from Chiropractic!

The Bill is now on its way to the Senate for approval.