WASHINGTON, DC - There was much to be excited about at the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) 2001 National Chiropractic Legislative Conference (NCLC), and members of Congress speaking to the more than 430 doctors and students of chiropractic in attendance made that clear. "You can be justifiably proud of your accomplishments from last year," Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) told the crowd gathering in Washington, DC, March 7-10.
Eight members of Congress, representatives and senators, spoke at the NCLC. Each praised ACA for its work on behalf of the profession - most notably, the passage of a bill expanding access to chiropractic for all active-duty military personnel - and vowed to help in its future endeavors. Several of the speakers emphasized that the work for chiropractic in Congress is far from done; that one of the most important things chiropractors and students can do is to educate their representatives about the profession and the issues such as Medicare, health care in the Veterans' Administration, and the National Public Health Service Corps.
"That's the way democracy works best," said Senate minority leader, Tom Daschle, who was introduced by Dr. Kerwin Winkler, a constituent from South Dakota. The senator called Dr. Winkler a "great educator" and added that he has turned to him again and again for advice throughout his years in Congress.
"Educate your members of Congress," agreed Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV). "It makes all the difference in the world."
Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, noted that he was shocked at how many of his colleagues on Capitol Hill didn't understand the chiropractic profession. He added that he is happy to do his part to change that. For constituents, however, he recommends writing letters to their representatives. "If people knew how important (letters) are, they would write them more often."
With passage of the Department of Defense bill, the chiropractic profession is now turning its sights on the VA, as veterans have limited access to chiropractic services. Several congressional members at the NCLC mentioned that they are serving on committees where they can help change that. Congresswoman Berkley, for instance, said she would be moving from the House veterans affairs subcommittee on benefits to one on health care. "I'll be in a better position to help veterans get access to chiropractic," she said.
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), a member of the Senate appropriations subcommittee on defense, pledged that he would "hold (the committee's) feet to the fire" and make sure that it spends the necessary money to properly integrate chiropractic into the DoD and the VA. "I am a veteran. I learned that you never leave a buddy behind, but we're leaving veterans behind without access to chiropractic."
Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) was also adamant that veterans be afforded the same access as active-duty military personnel. "Choice is an integral part of life, and it should be an integral part of health care, he said." "Veterans need the same choice, now and in the future." He also mentioned that President Bush has established a task force on veterans' health and that he looks forward to working with the group on the issue.
Several of the members also shared the opinion that the Medicare program is running on an outdated system and is sorely in need of reform, and that its beneficiaries should have easier access to chiropractic services. Addressing the issue, Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) explained that preventive and alternative care services were given little or no thought back in the 1960s when the program was established. "We are trying to refocus our approach," he said.
Sen. Harkin noted in his speech that he supports Rep. Wes Watkins' bill (H.R. 902), calling for doctors of chiropractic to be reimbursed under Medicare for all services within their scope of practice.
Also appearing at the NCLC were Sen. Tim Hutchinson (R-AR) and Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI). A chiropractic patient for 51 years, Rep. Abercrombie explained that chiropractic care was vital to both his childhood health and development and his long-term wellness.
In Rep. Berkley's final remarks, she encouraged doctors and students to make and then maintain contact with their elected officials in Washington so that they can push for change when the opportunity arises. "Make your voice heard; be persistent; and be involved. There's strength in numbers."
Other NCLC presentations included inspiring addresses by Dr. William Morgan, the first doctor of chiropractic to practice in the attending physician's office on Capitol Hill, and Mary Beth Larsen, Olympic pentathlete and chiropractic student at Logan Chiropractic College.
The 2001 NCLC was held in conjunction with the ACA's House of Delegates meeting.
Editor's note: For another perspective on the NCLC, see J.C. Smith's article on http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/19/10/13.html
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