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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:
ACA Department of Government Relations
(703) 276-8800
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2005 Arlington, Va. (Feb 23, 2005) - The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) today applauded Congressman Bob Filner, D-Calif., for re-introducing legislation to provide veterans with direct access to a doctor of chiropractic through the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) health care system. Originally introduced last year, the "Better Access to Chiropractors to Keep our Veterans Healthy Act" is one of several legislative initiatives the ACA and Rep. Filner are pursuing to ensure unimpeded access to chiropractic care for the nation's veterans.
In the past, segments of the federal bureaucracy have been reluctant to implement directives from Congress regarding chiropractic care. The bill (HR 917) seeks to send a message to opponents of chiropractic - inside and outside of the government - that America's veterans will not be denied the chiropractic care they need and deserve.
"Our nation's veterans deserve the best health care this country can offer, and chiropractic care is an integral component of that care," said ACA President and U.S. Navy veteran Donald J. Krippendorf, DC. "The ACA is proud to work together with Congressman Filner - a powerful and effective advocate for veterans - to protect the rights of doctors of chiropractic and their patients."
The Filner bill (HR 917) seeks to amend Title 38 of the United States Code to permit eligible veterans to receive direct access to chiropractic care at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics. HR 917 states that "The Secretary [of Veterans Affairs] shall permit eligible veterans to receive needed [health care] services, rehabilitative services, and preventative health services from a licensed doctor of chiropractic on a direct access basis at the election of the eligible veteran, if such services are within the state scope of practice of such doctor of chiropractic." The measure goes on to directly prohibit discrimination among licensed health care providers by the DVA when determining which services a patient needs.
Congressman Filner is a senior member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs. He represents California's 51st Congressional District, including Imperial County and a portion of San Diego County and the communities of Bonita, Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, Chula Vista, El Centro, Heber, Holtville, Imperial, La Presa, National City, San Diego, Seeley and Westmoreland. In 2004, the ACA presented Congressman Filner with its Veterans Health Care Leadership Award.
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