The World Chiropractic Alliance has joined the International Chiropractors Association and the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations in support of a newly introduced bill that would provide chiropractic care to U.S. military dependents and retirees through the “Tricare” program. All three organizations are members of the Chiropractic Coalition, which was formed in November 2002.

There are four key points to know about HR 3476:

1) The bill extends chiropractic care to U.S. military dependents and retirees. With this bill, these Americans will have the same coverage as current Federal Employees.

2) It contains provisions requiring that chiropractic services may be provided only by a doctor of chiropractic, without referral by any other health care provider.

3) The definition of chiropractic services specifically includes detection and correction of vertebral subluxation, as well as neuro-musculoskeletal conditions and “such other chiropractic services determined appropriate by the Secretary.” The only restriction it puts on chiropractic is that it does not include the use of drugs or surgery.

4) The bill is supported by ALL major chiropractic organizations, including the three members of the Chiropractic Coalition -- the WCA, ICA and FSCO -- as well as the American Chiropractic Association.

“The bill contains all the elements outlined in the WCA’s Legislative Policy Position Paper. It will be a tremendous step forward for the chiropractic profession and is an opportunity for all doctors of chiropractic to pull together for the common good,” stated Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., WCA president. “The World Chiropractic Alliance is proud to throw its full support behind this bill and will work hard to ensure its passage.”

Introducing a Tricare bill was one of several key legislative goals originally set by the Coalition when it was founded. Dr. Rondberg noted that it was a clear indication of the Coalition’s success that so many of the goals have already been met, and that the members of the Coalition are still strongly united in their determination to work cooperatively on joint legislative projects.

Members of the three founding organizations will hold a joint legislative day in Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2004. Doctors will be urged to make appointments with their Senators and Representatives to discuss the Tricare bill and other chiropractic legislation. 

Help pass this important bill!

Call, e-mail or fax your Representatives, asking them to become co-sponsors (the more co-sponsors a bill has, the more likely it will pass).

To find your Representative’s name, phone number, e-mail address or fax number, go to:

www.congress.org 

and enter your zip code. Then click “info” for your Representative. The information you need will be listed under “Contact Information”

Include your name, address and phone number in every message.

(Note: It’s difficult to get mail to government offices, so be sure to phone, fax or e-mail!)

Click here for two  sample letters to help you compose your own personal message.