New Legislation to Include DCs in USPHS Commissioned Corps
Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) has introduced H.R. 3851, legislation designed to include doctors of chiropractic in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and Ready Reserve Corps. The USPHS Commissioned Corps, one of the country's seven uniformed service branches, currently includes more than 6,000 public health professionals representing diverse health care professions – but to date, no doctors of chiropractic. H.R. 3851 would change all that, requiring the president, in consultation with the surgeon general and secretary of Health and Human Services, to appoint at least six DCs to the Commissioned Corps.
"H.R. 3851 will allow DCs to join forces with other health care providers in the fight against disease, poor health conditions and other threats during both non-emergency and emergency periods for our country," said Dr. Anthony Hamm, ACA president, in a press release announcing the new legislation. "We extend our appreciation to Rep. Green for his effort to introduce this long-overdue legislation."
To learn more about the USPHS Commissioned Corps and Ready Reserve Corps, click here.
NCAI Supports Chiropractic
The National Congress of American Indians has passed a resolution supporting the inclusion of doctors of chiropractic in the Indian Health Service (IHS) and tribal health care facilities. Doctors of naturopathic medicine and licensed acupuncturists also are supported in the resolution, which emphasizes that the professions "specialize in natural therapies, spinal manipulation, health promotion and wellness consistent with the culturally-connected therapies of our First Peoples"; and that "research has shown that patients managed by [these providers] show dramatically reduced pharmaceutical costs, reductions in surgeries, reduction of inpatient hospital admissions and days spent in hospitals."
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?
