US House votes in favor of restoring chiropractic to military bases

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on September 10 to approve a plan to restore chiropractic services at more than a dozen US military bases where services have been arbitrarily discontinued.

The action is consistent with the Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) ongoing concern over the use of opioids by active-duty members of the military and calls to make non-addictive alternatives for pain management more readily available to military personnel, noted an American Chiropractic Association press release.

Response to clinic closures

The amendment was introduced by Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.). It reflects upon the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 106-398), which in 2001 established the original chiropractic benefit in the Department of Defense healthcare system.

The Steube amendment responds to chiropractic clinic closures over the past year caused by contracts with participating DCs being allowed to lapse. It calls on DHA to develop a plan to reopen closed clinics and to explore the feasibility of putting DCs stationed at military facilities in the federal General Schedule (GS) system. The amendment also directs DHA to report back to the House and Senate on its progress by March 31, 2026.

Surveys show chiropractic services are highly valued at U.S. military facilities. Reports show that these clinics provide proven, cost-effective care to hundreds of patients monthly, offering a range of nondrug services to address painful musculoskeletal conditions commonly experienced by members of the military and enabling them to return to service.

“We thank Rep. Steube for his foresight to tackle this issue and we also acknowledge House Armed Services Committee Chair Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) for his longstanding support of chiropractic in the military,” said John Falardeau, American Chiropractic Association (ACA) senior vice president of public policy and advocacy.

Chiropractic in the military

A four-year clinical trial conducted at several military sites—the largest chiropractic clinical trial on record—showed evidence that chiropractic care, when added to usual medical care, resulted in moderate short-term improvements in low back pain intensity in active-duty personnel. The results of the trial, published in 2018 by JAMA Network Open, served as additional support for the inclusion of chiropractic services as a component of multidisciplinary health care for back pain, as currently recommended by existing guidelines.

The Steube amendment was made part of the larger National Defense Authorization Act, which now goes to the Senate for consideration. ACA will be working with senators to ensure the provision remains in the final defense package.

About the American Chiropractic Association

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is the largest professional chiropractic organization in the United States. ACA attracts the most principled and accomplished chiropractors, who understand that it takes more to be called an ACA chiropractor. We are leading our profession in the most constructive and far-reaching ways—by working hand in hand with other healthcare professionals, by lobbying for pro-chiropractic legislation and policies, by supporting meaningful research and by using that research to inform our treatment practices. We also provide professional and educational opportunities for all our members and are committed to being a positive and unifying force for the practice of modern chiropractic. Visit acatoday.org.