April 2004

WCA, Coalition continue lobbying for TRICARE bill

The Chiropractic Coalition ‑‑ comprised of the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA), the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) and the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations ‑‑ has stepped up its efforts to win Congressional support for a bill that would provide chiropractic care to U.S. military dependents and retirees through the "TRICARE" program.

HR 3476, also known as the "Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Retirees and Dependents Act," calls for the Secretary of Defense to complete development of a plan to provide chiropractic health care services and benefits for covered beneficiaries, as a permanent part of the TRICARE program. The bill mandates that the TRICARE plan developed by the Secretary:

***  include the delivery of chiropractic services;

***  require that chiropractic services may be provided only by a doctor of chiropractic; and

***  provide that a covered beneficiary may select and have direct access to a doctor of chiropractic without referral by another health practitioner.

The bill's definition of chiropractic is deliberately broad, allowing for the diagnosis (including by diagnostic X‑ray tests), correction, and management of vertebral subluxations or neuromusculoskeletal conditions, and such other chiropractic services determined appropriate by the Secretary. The only restriction is that it does not include the use of drugs or surgery.

ICA Legislative Committee Chairman Michael S. McLean, D.C. was instrumental in the wording of the bill, which was introduced by Rep. Ed Schrock (R‑VA), an influential member of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee. Dr. McLean lives in Schrock's district and is a long time acquaintance and supporter of the lawmaker.

At press time, HR 3476 had attracted 33 co‑sponsors and the Coalition leadership was meeting with other representatives to increase that number. They were specifically interested in speaking with members of the Armed Services Committee to explain the need for the bill.

The Coalition will continue lobbying members of Congress and will encourage their members to contact legislators about the bill. The WCA has posted information about HR 3476 at its website (www.worldchiropractoralliance.org), including two sample letters doctors can use to urge lawmakers to co‑sponsor or support the bill.

One letter reminds Representatives that: "This care is available to every person paid a salary by the Federal government," and asks, "Why should our retired veterans have less freedom of choice? And why should we force them to take drugs for pain when they could be pain‑free if they had access to chiropractic?"