May 2004

2004 Coalition Legislative Day draws nearly 600

Nearly 600 chiropractors, chiropractic students, staff, family and patients gathered on Capitol Hill for an inaugural Chiropractic Coalition Legislative Day on April 29. The coalition is comprised of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA), the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) and the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations (FSCO)

"Now, more than ever, cooperative effort amongst all chiropractic organizations is necessary to protect and promote the chiropractic profession, and to expand the profession's role in public programs and public health policy," said ICA Legislative Committee Chairman Dr. Michael S. McLean. "The three Coalition partners have now demonstrated how small differences can be put aside so that the entire profession can flourish and prosper."

The Coalition Legislative Day began with a keynote address by Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy. Chiropractic legislative champions including Representatives Donald Manzullo, Bob Filner and Edward Shrock made presentations concerning key legislative initiatives.

A major focus of the Coalition legislative effort was HR 3476, the new TRICARE initiative. Rep. Schrock encouraged everyone in the chiropractic profession to support HR 3476, legislation that would extend chiropractic benefits to military dependents and retirees through the federal TRICARE program, the last major federal healthcare program that does not offer chiropractic services to its beneficiaries.

Source: International Chiropractors Association, www.chiropractic.org

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