April 2001

Chiropractic Makes its Mark on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON - Members of Congress spoke to more than 430 doctors and chiropractic students at the recent American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) 2001 National Chiropractic Legislative Conference.

In all, eight members of Congress and senators spoke at the NCLC in early March. Each praised ACA for its work on behalf of the profession, most notably the ACA's successful lobbying for legislation that will expand access to chiropractic for all active-duty military personnel. The legislators said they also were committed to helping with ACA's future endeavors.

Several of the speakers emphasized that one of the most important things chiropractors and students can do now is educate their representativesabout the chiropractic profession and the issues that still lie ahead in areas such as Medicare, the Veterans Administration's health-care system and the National Public Health Service Corps.

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said he is shocked at how many of his colleagues on Capitol Hill don't understand the chiropractic profession.

With passage of the Department of Defense bill, the chiropractic profession is now turning its sights on the Veterans Administration's health care system, where veterans have limited access to chiropractic services. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), a member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense, said he will "hold [the committee's] feet to the fire" and make sure that it spends the necessary money to properly integrate chiropractic into the DoD and VA. "I am a veteran," Harkin said. "I learned that you never leave a buddy behind, but we're leaving veterans behind without access to chiropractic."

Several of the legislators also shared the opinion that the Medicare program is running on an outdated system and its beneficiaries should have easier access to chiropractic services.

Tommy Thompson, the new U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, made an unannounced visit to the meeting. During his address, Thompson spoke about his new vision for his department.

Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA), Tim Hutchinson (R-AR), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Representatives Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), Shelly Berkley (D-NV) and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) also voiced their support for the chiropractic profession.

The 2001 NCLC was held in conjunction with the ACA's House of Delegates meeting.

Source: American Chiropractic Association

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