“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.” – President John F. Kennedy
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – President John F. Kennedy
A couple of really exciting bills are being reviewed in Washington that would improve active and past military personnel, and their families, gain access to chiropractic care. One program is through TRICARE and the others are to be offered at every VA hospital facility in the US.
This article should be sent to every active military person, their families and retired veteran you know so they can have an opportunity to voice their approval and improve their options for health care.
Last year I started a petition in Maryland for my patients that had TRICARE as their primary insurance coverage, in hopes of getting chiropractic added to their benefits so they weren’t paying for it out of pocket. The petition idea was then forwarded to my colleagues in other states to try to increase the numbers of signatures in a grass roots effort to show a need and interest for our military.
Unfortunately after speaking with several people who have been associated with this topic for years, I heard the petition wouldn’t get too far due to red tape, for financial reasons and an unwillingness to change. Well it is possible the winds of change have come with our last big storm.
The worlds’ best athletes like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Derek Jeter and all pro teams have access to chiropractic to help them recover from injuries, stay well and perform at their best, but not our country’s greatest Heroes?
For decades there has been a push to offer our military chiropractic services at each of the VA hospitals, and some have chiropractors working there now, however it still isn’t nearly enough coverage for the veterans and their families who want it. Sadly the brave men and women fighting for us have been the ones to suffer.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs; Analysis of VA Health Care Utilization Among Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans) cite “diseases of Musculoskeletal System/Connective System,” as the number one ailment of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans accessing VA treatment.”
Chiropractic has been demanded by military personnel due to the fact that many soldiers had already experienced positive results with chiropractic for pain that involves the skeletal system and muscles. Treatment would also require soldiers take less medications resulting in a fewer potential for side-effects and a clear head for battle in the field.
The Utah Wor
