Congress Paves Way for All U.S. Military Personnel to Receive Chiropractic

On Sept. 30, 2006, the U.S. Senate passed H.R.5122, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, following passage by the House one day earlier. Of particular importance to the chiropractic profession is Section 712, which calls for the Secretary of Defense to evaluate, among other variables, the cost and feasibility of providing chiropractic health care services to all active-duty military personnel, reservists, retirees and eligible dependents; and to submit a report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees no later than March 31, 2008.

Sec. 712. Study and Plan Relating to Chiropractic Health Care Services.

1. Study Required
   1. Groups Covered - The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study of providing chiropractic health care services and benefits to the following groups:
      1. All members of the uniformed services on active duty and entitled to care under section 1074(a) of title 10, United States Code.
      2. All members described in subparagraph (A) and their eligible dependents, and all members of reserve components of the uniformed services and their eligible dependents.
      3. All members or former members of the uniformed services who are entitled to retired or retainer pay or equivalent pay and their eligible dependents.
   2. Matters Examined
      1. For each group listed in subparagraphs A, B, and C of paragraph 1, the study shall examine the following with respect to chiropractic health care services and benefits:
         1. The cost of providing such services and benefits.
         2. The feasibility of providing such services and benefits.
         3. An assessment of the health care benefits of providing such services and benefits.
         4. An estimate of the potential cost savings of providing such services and benefits in lieu of other medical services.
         5. The identification of existing and planned health care infrastructure, including personnel, equipment, and facilities, to accommodate the provision of chiropractic health care services.
      2. For the members of the group listed in subparagraph A of paragraph 1, the study shall examine the effects of providing chiropractic health care services and benefits -
         1. on the readiness of such members; and
         2. on the acceleration of the return to duty of such members following an identified injury or other malady that can be appropriately treated with chiropractic health care services.
   3. Space Available Costs - The study shall also include a detailed analysis of the projected costs of providing chiropractic health care services on a space available basis in the military treatment facilities currently providing chiropractic care under section 702 of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2001 (as enacted by Public Law 106-398; 10 U.S.C. 1092 note).
   4. Eligible Dependents Defined - In this section, the term "eligible dependent" has the meaning given that term in section 1076a(k) of title 10, United States Code.
2. Report Required - Not later than March 31, 2008, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the study required under subsection (a).

Congressional approval of H.R.5122, particularly Section 712, was aided by the efforts of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC), who worked jointly with leaders in the House and Senate to ensure passage of the pro-chiropractic provision.

"Both ACA and ACC believe that guaranteeing access to chiropractic care is paramount, especially to our troops overseas in harm's way," said Richard Brassard, ACA president. "I am confident that upon further review, the Pentagon will not only find chiropractic care cost effective and essential, but [also] will move to expand chiropractic care to TRICARE beneficiaries and reservists as well."

"The passage of this language is a victory for our men and women in uniform, who deserve no less than the best health care this country can offer," added ACC President Frank Zolli, DC, EdD. "The chiropractic profession extends a sincere thank you to the Chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services committees, and especially to Senator Jim Talent and Representatives Jeb Bradley, John McHugh, Mike Rogers and others who were instrumental in advancing this important legislation."

When President Bill Clinton signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001, it included a historic provision requiring access to chiropractic services for active-duty personnel. It also required full implementation of chiropractic benefits over a five-year period in all service branches of the military, and mandated that the Department of Defense develop an implementation plan to ensure adequate provision of those benefits.

However, according to a report issued by the U.S. Government Accountability Office in September 2005, of more than 230 military treatment facilities worldwide, only 42 facilities offer chiropractic health care services; all 42 facilities are located within the continental United States. The Fiscal Year 2006 Department of Defense Authorization Act mandated that the U.S. Air Force make chiropractic services available at an additional 11 Air Force bases no later than Sept. 30, 2006; nearly a month after that Sept. 30 deadline, the Air Force has yet to act on the congressional mandate.

As of press time, H.R.5122 has been sent to the White House for President Bush's signature.