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May 6, 2010 - The Health Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee passed a bill (HR 1017) introduced by Representative Bob Filner (D-Calif.) on Thursday by a voice vote. After a 10-year fight, passing this bill is a major victory for those attempting to bring chiropractic care to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers.
A pilot program was launched in 2004 to provide chiropractic care at almost 25 VA medical centers. At the time, the VA either contracted for the services or hired chiropractors on an as-needed basis. This program took 3 years to become active following final approval.
Filner's bill provides timelines for when chiropractic care would be required to be available. There must be at least 75 VA medical centers providing chiropractic care by the end of 2011 and all 153 VA medical centers must be providing chiropractic care by the end of 2013. The International Chiropractic Association has been pushing to have chiropractic care covered under veteran treatment programs.
The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee passed the Homeless Veterans and Other Veterans Health Care Authorities Act of 2010 (S 1237) earlier this year. That bill was not nearly as aggressive as Filner's bill as far as its demands for the integration of chiropractic care. The Senate bill only required chiropractic services at a minimum of 2 locations out of each of the veterans' 21 service networks.
Currently every network provides chiropractic care in at least one VA medical center. 12 networks, however, have only one location providing such care. While no financial estimate has been attached to Filner's bill, the cost to provide 12 more centers over the next 5 years would hover around $8 million.
For some veterans, chiropractic care may very well be an integral part of their recovery. It will take years to fully establish the requirements in Filner's bill but few would argue if chiropractic care aided in veterans' recoveries it would not be worth the effort.
Soldiers can return home with a number of conditions, injuries, and aggravated preexisting conditions. If you believe you have a service-connected physical or psychological injury you may be entitled to Veterans’ Disability Compensation.
At LaVan and Neidenberg, we are determined to secure veterans their rightful disability compensation and disability rating. We wrote this book for you! In it you will find valuable tips on how to navigate the claims process and avoid common pitfalls. Request your FREE copy today!
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