December 13, 1999

Evans veterans’ chiropractic care bill

Key part of new health care legislation

Washington, DC – Developing a chiropractic care policy for veterans is a requirement for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) now that President Clinton has approved far-reaching veterans legislation. Congressman Lane Evans (D-IL), Ranking Democrat of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and a long-time supporter of chiropractic care, introduced a bill last spring to require VA to establish a policy on chiropractic care in VA, which was incorporated into the Veterans Millenium Health Care and Benefits Act, signed into law on November 30.

"This provision of the Millennium Bill will require VA to work with chiropractors," said Evans, "to establish a policy for chiropractic services within VA. Veterans deserve the opportunity to choose chiropractic care." The health care provisions were part of a bipartisan bill Evans cosponsored along with Congressmen Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and Committee Chairman Bob Stump (R-AZ).

Evans said the entire Millennium Bill is ambitious. "It is also realistic," he commented. "Congressional leaders are determined to provide funding for veterans’ health care. In this atmosphere, we must provide for both emergency and long-term care with initiatives that are both fiscally responsible and extremely creative." The new law also includes improved provisions related to veterans benefits claims, homeless veterans programs, minority veterans, cemeteries, housing, and use of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities.

The Millennium Bill will also assure Congress that the VA meets the highest priority veterans’ vital needs for long-term care services. "We’ve required the VA to plan effectively for veterans health care treatment in home or community settings as it shifts away from hospital based health care," Evans said. "In addition, the bill allows VA to reimburse regular VA patients for emergency care services delivered outside the VA. It also makes an array of improvements on veterans benefits and how they are delivered."

Evans thanked the American Chiropractic Association, the International Association of Chiropractors, and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges for their support of his chiropractic care bill. The bill requires VA to develop a policy that could potentially lead to full integration of chiropractic care into the VA health care system. The language reads: "Within 120 days after the enactment of this act, the Under Secretary of Health, after consultation with chiropractors, shall establish a policy for VHA [VA’s Veterans Health Administration] regarding the role of chiropractic treatment in the care of veterans[.]"

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