Bill to Expand Chiropractic Services for the Military

Posted December 31, 2018

The Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act (S. 3620) is a bill that will expand chiropractic services to military retirees and members of the National Guard and Reserve.

These services will be provided to those the Department of Defense TRICARE health program, who have acknowledged the important role of chiropractic adjustment in pain relief and recovery from injury.

Dr. Nathen Horst is pleased to hear about this legislation given the positive impact it can have on the lives of our military heroes. The Temecula, CA team at Horst Chiropractic would like to go over the importance of this bill.

Why This Bill Has Numerous Benefits

At the moment, only active-duty military personnel benefit from chiropractic services through TRICARE. This legislation will allow retired members of the armed forces and National Guard and Reserve to receive the same kinds of chiropractic treatments, avoiding the need for prescription pain medication and invasive surgical treatments.

This legislation has the support of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).

A Bipartisan Response to Service Member Health Needs

The Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act is the product of both parties coming together to help our service members. The bill was introduced by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jerry Moran (R-KS).

“I’ve long advocated for increased access to chiropractic care in the VA, and this legislation will similarly increase access to chiropractic care for all military enrollees by expanding TRICARE coverage for retirees and all reservists,” said Senator Moran.

“Military retirees, reservists, and National Guard members have served and sacrificed for our nation and the freedoms we all cherish,” said Senator Baldwin. “We all have a shared responsibility to do right by them.”

Chiropractic Care for the Military: Nearly 20 Years Old

Chiropractic care for military personnel began in the year 2000. At one time, military retirees could also receive chiropractic adjustments, but the services were eventually restricted to active-duty personnel.

Currently, chiropractic services are performed at more than 60 military treatment facilities in the United States, as well as at U.S. military bases in Japan and Germany.

A Sensible Response to the Opioid Crisis

Chiropractic care has become more popular because it provides a non-invasive, non-addictive form of pain relief. Rather than relying on opioids and other prescription pain killers, military personnel can undergo regular chiropractic adjustments for musculoskeletal pain and other disorders affecting the back, neck, hips, and other joints.

This is part of a push by the U.S. military to cut back on opioid use given their addictive nature. The Army Times reports that opioid prescriptions among those in the army have dropped 19 percent in the last four years; chronic use of opioids in the army has dropped 45 percent.

The expansion of chiropractic services will help so many others who have served our country. They will receive the help they need to relieve pain and lead healthy lives. Most importantly, they will achieve this while avoiding the dangers of opioid addiction.