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Chiropractic services in the VA

Currently, veterans have access to chiropractic services at more than 70 major VA treatment facilities in the United States, but nearly 100 VA sites offer little to no availability. This disparity comes at a time when the need for drug-free options for musculoskeletal conditions is urgent. VA data cites “diseases of the musculoskeletal system/connective system” such as back pain as the No. 1 ailment experienced by veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who access VA treatment. Moreover, surveys show that, similar to the civilian population, many veterans struggle with prescription painkiller (opioid) addiction.

The Interim President of the American Chiropractic Association, Dr. Ray Tuck, Jr., states, “For many years, veterans have had only limited access through the VA health care system to the essential services provided by chiropractors. The bill that Congress passed today will significantly contribute to giving veterans better access to new, nondrug options for their pain.” This approach is desperately needed to address the growing opioid drug abuse so prevalent among the general public and can now provide options our military must have available without obstacles commonly seen in the past.

The measure also, for the first time, codifies and broadens chiropractic services in the VA to include services provided by doctors of chiropractic under the Preventive Health Services and Medical categories — in addition to existing coverage under Rehabilitative Services — placing chiropractors in service categories previously closed to them. When fully implemented, a veteran will have the opportunity to be seen by a doctor of chiropractic and given options for care well studied and demonstrated to effectively reduce future costs and improve outcomes.

Byron Folwell, DC

Parkersburg

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