September 2004

WCA, CBS leaders meet
President Bush in Washington

 
 Terry A. Rondberg, DC, (left) President of the World Chiropractic Alliance and Timothy Feuling (right), President of the Chiropractic Benefit Services, flank President George W. Bush. Their presence at the fundraising dinner helped remind top legislators of the importance of the chiropractic profession.

Terry A. Rondberg, DC, President of the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA), and Timothy Feuling, President of Chiropractic Benefit Services, had the rare opportunity to meet and greet President George W. Bush after a fundraising dinner in Washington, DC, that drew many of the nation's top Republican lawmakers.

"Regardless of one's political ideology, it's important to recognize the influence the standing president and his administration have on chiropractic‑related legislation," stated Dr. Rondberg. "Our presence at the dinner and our few words with the president reminded him and the others there of the strength of the chiropractic profession."

The federal government will be considering several important chiropractic laws and regulations in the coming legislative sessions and the strength and unity of the chiropractic profession will have a great impact on the decision‑making process. "If they see us as a group of weak, bickering factions, they'll hesitate before enlarging our role in the health care system," Rondberg explained. "If they see us as we truly are ‑‑ strong and united on key issues ‑‑ then we stand a much better chance to make legislative progress."

One of the key issues at stake is the inclusion of subluxation correction in all legislative involving chiropractic, so the profession is not limited to neuromusculoskeletal conditions such as back pain.

Another vital issue is that of direct access. Despite vigorous arguments from WCA and International Chiropractors Association representatives, the Veterans Affairs Committee this year recommended a gatekeeper system in VA hospitals that will permit veterans to receive chiropractic only after a referral (or "consultation") from a medical provider.

Among the bills supported by the WCA are:

HR 2560, the "Chiropractic Medicare Freedom and Benefit Protection Act." If passed, this bill would set up a separate category for doctors of chiropractic, making chiropractic services uniquely theirs. No longer would an MD, DO, or physical therapist be able to provide or receive reimbursement for subluxation correction services. The WCA is working with the Chiropractic Coalition to revise the wording of HR 2560 slightly so that it explicitly includes reimbursement for X‑ray exams and instrumentation.

HR 3476, the "TRICARE" now officially known as the "Chiropractic Health Parity For Military Retirees And Dependents" bill. It has won support from numerous representatives and all major chiropractic organizations. The bill contains provisions requiring that chiropractic services may be provided by a doctor of chiropractic only, without referral by any other health care provider. In addition, the definition of chiropractic services specifically includes detection and correction of vertebral subluxation, as well as neuromusculoskeletal 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.

A Sense of Congress resolution directing Department of Defense (DoD) to commission DCs as officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.

A Medicare "opt out" bill.  This bill would allow DCs to opt out of Medicare. Since January 1, 1998, medical doctors have been permitted to opt out of Medicare and enter into private contracts with Medicare beneficiaries that allow them to set their own fees.