ACA testifies on availability of chiropractic for veterans

October 22, 2009 — The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has been at the forefront of educating the public and Congress on the benefits of chiropractic care for veterans. To that end, ACA fully supports S. 1204, the Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act.

Military service men and women need to rely on access to treatment for painful and disabling joint and back disorders and be provided the highest level of care possible Rick McMichael, DC, president of ACA, said in testimony before the United States Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on S. 1204, legislation introduced by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash).

According to recent U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, nearly 52 percent of the service men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are seeking care due to musculoskeletal ailments including back and joint pain, which is commonly caused by injuries from combat, heavy gear, motor vehicle accidents, and blast injuries. McMichael noted that doctors of chiropractic offer expert conservative care but more is needed.

Chiropractic care has been available within the Veterans Administration system for many years, but Congress took action when it became apparent that the VA had failed to take any reasonable steps to provide veterans with chiropractic care and pushed for chiropractic care to be integrated into 36 major treatment facilities.

Despite this progress, McMichael stated, there is still an overwhelming majority of veterans denied access to chiropractic care at approximately 120 major Veterans Administration facilities. 

Source: American Chiropractic Association, www.acatoday.org