NEW BILL WOULD GIVE VETERANS DIRECT ACCESS TO DOCTORS OF CHIROPRACTIC

ARLINGTON, VA -- The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) today applauded Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA) for introducing legislation to provide veterans with direct access to a doctor of chiropractic through the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) health care system. The ACA, the nation's largest chiropractic organization, worked closely with Congressman Filner on the direct access bill now before Congress and on other ongoing efforts to ensure unimpeded access to chiropractic care. In the past, segments of the federal bureaucracy have been reluctant to implement directives from Congress regarding chiropractic care. This new bill (HR 4051) seeks to send a message to opponents of chiropractic - inside and outside of the government - that America's veterans will not be denied the chiropractic care they need and deserve. "Congressman Filner is a powerful and effective leader on health care issues and a well-known fighter for America's veterans," said ACA President and U.S. Navy veteran Donald J. Krippendorf, DC. "He has shown time and again that he is committed to protecting the rights of doctors of chiropractic and chiropractic patients. Introduction in the U.S. House of Representatives of the "Better Access to Chiropractors to Keep our Veterans Healthy Act" by Congressman Filner is a strong statement of support for chiropractic care and its positive benefits for veterans and other patients." The Filner bill (HR 4051) seeks to amend Title 38 of the United States Code to permit eligible veterans to receive direct access to chiropractic care at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics. Section 3 of HR 4051 states that "The Secretary [of Veterans Affairs] shall permit eligible veterans to receive needed [health care] services, rehabilitative services, and preventative health services from a licensed doctor of chiropractic on a direct access basis at the election of the eligible veteran, if such services are within the state scope of practice of such doctor of chiropractic." The measure goes on to directly prohibit discrimination among licensed health care providers by the DVA when determining which services a patient needs. Congressman Filner is a senior member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs. He represents California's 51st Congressional District, including Imperial County and a portion of San Diego County and the communities of Bonita, Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, Chula Vista, El Centro, Heber, Holtville, Imperial, La Presa, National City, San Diego, Seeley and Westmoreland. In 2004, the ACA presented Congressman Filner with its Veterans Health Care Leadership Award.

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