ICA NEWS!

New Hampshire Representative Jeb Bradley

Introduces Chiropractic Tricare Bill

New Hampshire Congressman Jeb Bradley has introduced legislation that would establish a responsible, accessible and permanent chiropractic benefits program in the federal Tricare health system for military dependents and retirees. Tricare provides health care benefits for upwards of 8 million individuals. This vital legislation, HR 1594, entitled the “Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Retirees and Dependents Act,” was introduced on April 13, 2005, by Rep. Bradley and Massachusetts Congressman Marty Meehan, at the request of ICA and the Chiropractic Coalition.

“The chiropractic profession is very fortunate to have legislators like Representative Bradley, who know our profession and the unique benefits we can provide in a highly effective and low-cost manner,” said ICA Board Member Dr. Gary Walsemann of New Hampshire. “As a citizen of New Hampshire and as a doctor of chiropractic, I am very proud of Rep. Bradley and truly appreciative of his vision and dedication for all citizens, as well as his support for chiropractors and chiropractic patients.”

This important legislative initiative is based on legislation agreed upon in the last Congress and supported by all major chiropractic organizations in the United States. The key components of this important initiative provide for a program in which:

delivery of health care services shall--

(1) include the delivery of chiropractic services;

(2) require that chiropractic services may be provided only by a doctor of chiropractic; and

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

(c) Implementation of Plan- The plan developed under subsection (a) shall provide for implementation of the plan to begin no later than December 31, 2005.

(d) Definitions- In this section:

(1) The term `chiropractic services'--

(A) includes 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; and

(B) does not include the use of drugs or surgery.

“With the Department of Defense (DOD) scheduled to spend $37 billion on health care in fiscal year 2005, a chiropractic benefit in Tricare could make a major contribution not just to the quality of care, but to the cost-effectiveness the agency needs,” said ICA Legislative Committee Chair Dr. Michael S. McLean. ICA urges all doctors of chiropractic in the US to contact their Member of the US House of Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 1594. DCs and consumers can identify their US House Member via the Internet at http://www.house.gov/. This is the official site of the US House and a Member finder feature is available on its main page that allows you to enter in your zip code, and the name of your House Member will appear. House seats are apportioned according to population and thus the larger states have more members.

Rep. Bradley was one of the featured speakers at the April 14th Chiropractic Coalition Legislative Day in Washington, DC, where he spoke eloquently of the need to mobilize from the grass roots to promote H.R. 1594, and for doctors of chiropractic everywhere to build individual relationships with their Congressional representatives. Rep. Bradley was also recognized by the Chiropractic Coalition as one of “America’s Most Outstanding Public Servants,” and presented with a statue of America’s First President George Washington. Rep. Bradley is in his second term in the US House of Representatives and serves on the Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Small Business Committees. Prior to becoming a Member of Congress, Mr. Bradley served in the New Hampshire Legislature for twelve years where he chaired the Science, Technology and Energy Committee, as well as the Joint Committee on Ethics, and was a strong supporter of chiropractic issues.

The Chiropractic Coalition was founded in November 2002 by three major chiropractic organizations, the International Chiropractors Association (ICA), the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) and the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations (FSCO). The mission of this cooperative effort is the promotion of chiropractic science and practice as a separate and distinct, drugless and non-surgical approach to health that mobilizes the body’s natural healing abilities, without intrusion into the realms of other professions.

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For More Information: Contact the International Chiropractors Association at: chiro@chiropractic.org

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