One often-invoked campaign promise presented to the American public was Bill Clinton's affordable, quality health care "within the first 100 days of my presidency." For most consumers and businesses, this is what they wanted to hear.
But how will the chiropractic profession fare under these new reforms. Will we be included, or left out?
A careful examination of the Clinton/Gore plan for health care brings more than a little concern. To begin with, chiropractic is not even eluded to, let alone mentioned.
These are the basic points of their plan:
Cap national spending to control health care costs and create a national health standards' board. The standards' board would be comprised of consumers, providers, business, labor and government, and would "establish an annual budget for the nation to limit both public and private expenditures." Would chiropractic be represented on this national standards' board?These very important issues are vital to the survival of chiropractic. President-elect Clinton's 100 days for health reform must be our rallying point. A well-mobilized, active profession can meet these challenges. We have 100 days from inauguration to realize our future.Take on the insurance industry: How many dollars of insurance industry campaign contributions put Mr. Clinton in office?
Stop drug price gouging: How many drug company donations were there to Clinton's campaign?
Establish a core benefits package: "Through the health standards' board, guarantee a basic health benefits' package..." This could involve abolishing state mandated benefits. Would this "bare bones" care include chiropractic care?
Develop health networks: Additional statements by President-elect Clinton reveal these to be giant, regionally based managed care organizations. Will chiropractic care be included, or an expensive "add on?"
Guaranteed universal coverage: This includes limiting costs for employers. Will the elimination of chiropractic care fulfill this promise?
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"I've recommended that our doctors be given a set of national practice guidelines..."
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?
