More than 100 congressional co-sponsors have now signed on to the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act (H.R. 2654), legislation that would give Medicare beneficiaries access to – and DCs the ability to reimburse for – any and all Medicare services within a chiropractor's state scope of practice, rather than only subluxation correction through manual manipulation of the spine.
With 107 bipartisan co-sponsors (55 Republican, 52 Democrat) as of Dec. 8th (the date this article was formatted for digital publication), the number is significant not just because of what it represents in terms of support for the legislation, but also because similar legislation introduced in 2019 managed to garner only 92 co-sponsors and failed to progress to a House vote.
"The more cosponsors we have, the greater the likelihood of our success," said ACA Legislative Committee Chair Keith Overland, DC, in an American Chiropractic Association press release touting the 100th co-sponsor. "I want to thank all the dedicated ACA volunteers, as well as the numerous chiropractic state associations, organizations and individual supporters from all 50 states, who have answered the bell and helped move this vital piece of legislation. But our work is not done; we need the profession to continue to garner additional cosponsors and support."
Primary sponsor Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) introduced H.R. 2654 in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 19, 2021. The legislation would "amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for all physicians' services furnished by doctors of chiropractic within the scope of their license." The ACA has championed the legislation since its inception.
To track co-sponsor support, read the full text and review activity (H.R. 2654 is currently under review by the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees, and has been referred by each to their Subcommittee on Health), click here.
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?
