As a preamble, while I regrettably never served in the military, I have the highest respect for those who did and those who currently serve. In fact, on many occasions since 9/11, I have looked somewhat goofy sprinting down an airport terminal to thank a veteran wearing a military service cap, or a man or woman in uniform.1
Having said that, on June 7, 2018, I was delighted to watch on television as President Trump signed the "VA Mission Act" into law. My good friend and strong chiropractic / veterans supporter, Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, stood behind him, and the president turned around to shake his hand in congratulations for his work on the bill.
Community Care for Vets
After the bill became law with the president's signature, I decided to research it and see exactly what it will do. Without getting into all of the details, here is the thumbnail sketch of why this new "community care" law is so important to veterans ... and doctors of chiropractic.
The new law states on page 1 (with italicized emphasis included in the statute), "This section requires access to community care if VA does not offer the care or services the veteran requires." As a result, veterans will have the ability to access private practitioners if the VA does not offer the treatment or service that is needed. The way I see it, that means if the patient needs a treatment or service not offered by the VA (such as laser therapy, decompression therapy, etc.), the vet can access a private "community care" health provider – like yourself – to obtain those needed services and be reimbursed for them.
How Else Can a Veteran Access Community Care?
Dovetailing With the Opioid Crisis If that was not enough, the new law references the opioid crisis seven times; yes, the crisis killing 175 Americans every day and about which I have twice written columns.2-3 If that doesn't make this new law a win for veterans, a win for the chiropractic profession by being reimbursed for VA services, and a win for veterans who can choose safe and effective chiropractic care instead of opioids, I don't know what does. That Was Then, This Is Now It was my greatest honor to serve as ACA chairman in 2003 when the 107th Congress authorized chiropractic care for our veterans; and then watch the law being implemented by attending every meeting of the two Veterans Administration Chiropractic Advisory Committees.4-5 But this new expansion for veterans is also a big deal because in many cases, it will offer veterans the opportunity to choose the "community care" doctor they want to see and receive the type of treatment recommended by that doctor! References
August 2018 
Trending
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." Carpal Tunnel / Extremities / Neuropathy
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.
Charles Annunziata, DC, CFMP
Your Practice / Business
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?
Jamy Antoine, BS, DC, BCN
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