After a colorful two-term administration, President Clinton has signed the legislation that holds much promise for incorporating chiropractic as a permanent part of military health care. It specifically requires: "Not later than March 31, 2001, the Secretary of Defense shall complete development of a plan to provide chiropractic health care services and benefits, as a permanent part of the Defense Health Program (including the TRICARE program), for all members of the uniformed services who are entitled to care under section1074(a) of title 10, United States Code*
The law, which is part of the huge National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2001, requires that full implementation of the chiropractic benefit be phased in over a five-year period throughout the three military services.
ACA Chairman Dr. J. Michael Flynn called the bill the "biggest chiropractic legislative victory in 26 years." ACA officials noted that the passage of the legislation required years of effort and persistence by their organization and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, despite powerful opposition by the Department of Defense and various medical groups.
*See "Congress Passes Historic Chiropractic Legislation" in the November 15 issue, and "Three Li'l Words" in this issue.
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
