June 2005
Hundreds gather in capitol to lobby Congress
Hundreds of chiropractors and chiropractic
advocates from around the world converged recently on Capitol Hill in
Washington, DC for the Chiropractic Coalition Legislative Day. They met with
legislators who have the power to make decisions that directly or indirectly
affect the welfare of every person on the planet.
"We know it is our moral obligation to make
good long‑standing relationships with our legislative leaders so they will
not only value and trust our opinion as health and wellness experts, but
seek out our opinion so that they may make informed
decisions on these
matters," stated Stephanie Grenier, DC, a member of the World Chiropractic
Alliance Board of International Governors. "The ultimate outcome is that we
leave our legislators educated in the chiropractic lifestyle so that they
make and pass legislation that is truly in the best interest of the public,
leading to a healthy subluxation‑free world full of people who have the
freedom and knowledge to make educated health care choices that resonate
with their belief system."
Participants heard enthusiastic words of
support from Representatives Don Manzullo (R‑IL), Jeb Bradley (R‑NH), Bob
Filner (D‑CA), as well as Senators Orrin G. Hatch (R‑UT), Harry Reid (D‑NV),
Jim DeMint (R‑SC) and Edward Kennedy (D‑MA) during the legislative day
"rally" held in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, diagonally across the
grounds from the Capitol's Senate wing.
In addition, doctors met personally with
their legislators either individually or in state "contingents" and
discussed important issues such as chiropractic wellness principles, the
importance of subluxation correction, the role of chiropractic in health
care and the need to reduce health care costs.
The meetings also focused on gaining support
for:
*** HR 1594, the Chiropractic Health Parity
for Military Retirees and Dependents Act, which provides for direct access
to subluxation‑based chiropractic services for military dependents and
retirees through the federal TRICARE program;
*** HR 917, which provides for direct
access to subluxation‑based chiropractic care for veterans with no need for
a referral;
*** enforcement of the 1992 policy allowing
the commissioning of Doctors of Chiropractic as officers in the US Military
Services; and
*** regulations that would permit
chiropractors to opt out of the Medicare program and authorize private
contracting with Medicare beneficiaries.
The Chiropractic Coalition was founded in
2002 by the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA), the International
Chiropractors Association (ICA), and the Federation of Straight
Chiropractors and Organizations (FSCO). The mission of this cooperative
effort is to promote ‑‑ without intrusion into the realms of other
professions ‑‑ chiropractic science and practice as a separate and distinct,
drugless and non‑surgical approach to health that mobilizes the body's
natural healing abilities.
The 2005 Legislative Day was considered an
even greater success than the inaugural event last year, said Terry A.
Rondberg, DC, WCA president. "Unless you were there, you can't imagine the
energy and passion in that room. We fully realized the power we held in our
hands and were determined to use it to benefit our profession and take a
step closer to our dream of a subluxation‑free world," he noted.
ICA Legislative Committee Chairman Dr.
Michael S. McLean observed: "The strength demonstrated by the Coalition
partners, and the spirit of cooperation and commitment to common goals, are
of great benefit to the chiropractic profession and strong, encouraging and
motivating factors as we work to move chiropractic forward on Capitol Hill."
