October 2003

Professional associations unified in support of TRICARE bill

The major professional associations for chiropractors — the American Chiropractic Association, the International Chiropractors Association, the World Chiropractic Alliance and the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations — are all backing a bill to provide chiropractic benefits to military dependents and retirees who have TRICARE healthcare coverage.

Developer of the proposed legislation is Rep. Ed Schrock (R-VA), a member of the House of Representatives Armed Services committee. Schrock, along with co-sponsor Lane Evans (IL-DEM), is circulating a letter to colleagues in the House, urging them to co-sponsor the bill.

The bill would require, in part, that:

• Chiropractic healthcare services and benefits become a permanent part of the TRICARE program for covered beneficiaries;

• Chiropractic services be provided only by a doctor of chiropractic; and

• A covered beneficiary be selected and have direct access to a doctor of chiropractic without referral by another health practitioner.

The bill would require the plan to go into effect no later than December 31, 2004.

Dr. Terry Rondberg, WCA president, said, “The bill contains all the elements outlined in the WCA’s legislative policy position paper. It will be a tremendous step forward for a chiropractic profession and is an opportunity for all doctors of chiropractic to pull together for the common good. The WCA is proud to throw its full support behind this bill and will work hard to ensure its passage.”

“It is an exciting and important effort that is now underway,” said Dr. Michael McLean, ICA legislative committee chairperson. “TRICARE represents one of the last federal programs in which beneficiaries are denied chiropractic coverage.”

“We already know that integrating chiropractic treatment into the U.S. military health care system will save the nation lost manpower and money — and will enhance the quality of life for our nation’s active duty military personnel,” said ACA president Donald J. Krippendorf, DC. “So it only makes sense to extend this vitally important benefit to retirees and the families of our nation’s military, who deserve nothing less than the best health care this country has to offer.”

Each professional association is asking its members to contacts members of Congress to request them to sponsor the legislation. Representatives can be reached by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 225-3121.

A copy of the Schrock-Evans “Dear Colleague” letter and the bill can be found on ACA’s Web site at www.acatoday.com/pdf/schrock_letter.pdf or on the ICA Web site at www.chiropractic.org.

Sources: International Chiropractors Association, American Chiropractic Association, World Chiropractic Alliance

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