All VA Medical Facilities May Soon Offer Chiropractic

While 32 of the more than 150 VA health care facilities (those specifically providing health care services to our nation's veterans) offer chiropractic services, a new bill will require the VA to have a doctor of chiropractic on staff at all VA medical facilities by 2012. Integrating chiropractic treatment into the VA health care system would not only be cost-effective, it would also speed the recovery of many of the veterans returning from current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. A January 2009 report from the Veterans Health Administration indicates that over 49 percent of veterans returning from the Middle East and Southwest Asia who have sought VA health care were treated for symptoms associated with musculoskeletal ailments - the top complaint of those tracked for the report. Chiropractors are experts in the care of musculoskeletal injuries offering a safe, effective, non-invasive hands on treatment approach. Currently, the bill (HR 1017) has been referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. To view the full text of HR 1017, click here. Contact your Member of Congress and urge them to co-sponsor HR 1017.