Chiropractic Gains Inclusion in House Ways & Means Committee's Health Care Reform Amendment

Across the Associated Press (AP) wires came the story:

"Washington (AP) -- Stunned insurance lobbyists huddled outside the Ways and Means Committee room, unable to believe what had just happened. The powerful panel had passed an amendment that would gut what they see as the future of their industry: managed health care.

"That moment of surprise on the night of June 23 was just the first salvo in what became a week-long blitz in favor of a coalition of health care providers often accorded little notice: optometrists, nurse practitioners, psychologists. Leading the charge was the chiropractors' lobby, which up until now hadn't been seen as a major power in Washington."

Not only was chiropractic included in an "any willing provider" amendment, but was named specifically. According to the 33-page Ways & Means press release:

"Each eligible individual would be entitled to health insurance that includes coverage of at least a guaranteed national benefit plan."

"An individual would be free to choose his or her own health care providers, and would be free to purchase any health care services."

"The guaranteed national benefit package would include the benefits currently under Medicare Parts A and B, with several improvements."

"Coverage of chiropractic services would be modified to include the x-ray services necessary for meeting the requirements under the guaranteed national benefit package."

In additional, chiropractic gained an important victory in medicare:

"Medicare coverage of chiropractic services would be expanded to include coverage of those x-rays that are necessary for chiropractic services to meet the requirements of coverage under Medicare."

"Medicare Part C benefits would be consistent with benefits provided under the guaranteed national benefit package."

The chiropractic profession has finally been heard. This is a preliminary victory for chiropractic, yet to put it in perspective, it is a decision of only one committee, albeit a powerful committee. The Senate Finance Committee and others will bring to the table their resolutions for negotiation of a health care package.

But the AP release gave chiropractic moral a boost when it went on to comment:

"'They (the chiropractic lobby) definitely have a beachhead now in the legislative process, and that's worrisome,' said Chip Kahn, a lobbyist for the rival Health Insurance association of America. 'It was clearly a surprise that they would get as far as they did.'"

"Behind the chiropractors victories lay a $2.8 million lobbying budget, grassroots activism, some unusual alliances and the element of surprise."

"It's far from certain whether the wins will survive in Congress' final health care reform package, now in the hands of both parties' House and Senate leadership. But the episode shows how determined and well-funded lobbying campaign can yield dividends."

This kind of victory would not have been possible without the committed, grassroots effort by all DCs and their patients, underscoring the importance of continuing to write letters and making contacts. According to Richard Miller, director of government relations for the American the American Chiropractic Association (ACA): "We need to call again, write again, and get our patients to do it again."

Gerard Clum, DC, of the International Chiropractors Association agreed: "In general, stay in touch with your elected representatives and let them know your views; encourage your patients to do the same.

The AP press release ended with this quote:

"'We are far from winning the war. But in a relatively short period we've gone from near zero to having a seat at the table,' said Richard Miller, chief lobbyist for the American Chiropractic Association."