July 2005

House bill would mandate military chiropractic study

Delivery, costs and savings would be scrutinized

A report from the International Chiropractors Association

Legislation now making its way through the U.S. Congress, HR 1815, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, contains a major provision mandating an extensive study of the costs and most importantly the offsets and cost savings to be found in implementing a full, permanent and system‑wide chiropractic benefits program in the U.S. military, including the TRICARE program. This important legislation was agreed upon by the Armed Services Committee on May 19th and passed the full House on May 25, 2005.

Section 704 of the bill, "STUDY AND PLAN RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CARE SERVICES," calls upon the Secretary of Defense to "...conduct a study of providing chiropractic health care services and benefits to... All members of the uniformed services on active duty, their eligible dependents, and all members of reserve components of the uniformed services and their eligible dependents... All members or former members of the uniformed services who are entitled to retired or retainer pay or equivalent pay and their eligible dependents."

"Prompted by legislation introduced at ICA's request by New Hampshire Representative Jeb Bradley (H.R. 1594) that would establish a permanent chiropractic benefit under the TRICARE program, as well as the on‑going efforts to expand and improve chiropractic services for active duty military personnel, this study represents a new opportunity for chiropractic to showcase both the profession's clinical and cost effectiveness," said Dr. Michael S. McLean, Chair of ICA's Board of Directors and Co‑Chairman of the ICA Legislative Committee. Dr. McLean serves on both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Advisory Committee and the recently appointed Department of Defense Chiropractic Health Care Benefits Advisory Committee.

H.R. 1815 specifies that the Secretary of Defense shall study and provide estimates on:

 "(A) The cost of providing such services and benefits. (B) The feasibility of providing such services and benefits. (C) An assessment of the health care benefits of providing such services and benefits. (D) An estimate of the potential cost savings of providing such services and benefits in lieu of other medical services."

The legislation requires the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress the results of the cost study as well as a revised plan for the improved and expanded implementation of the currently mandated chiropractic benefits program, no later than March 31, 2006. The bill provides that the study must contain "...a detailed analysis of the projected costs, to provide chiropractic health care services and benefits as a permanent part of the Defense Health Program, including the TRICARE program." The bill specifies that the study and plan shall be submitted to "the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives."

"ICA is excited about the focus on the cost saving elements of chiropractic care, and the potential offsets to current medical expenditures a system wide chiropractic program might bring," Dr. McLean added. "ICA will be actively assisting the Secretary of Defense as the mission established by H.R. 1815 is carried out."