Doctors of chiropractic can contact VA head to express opinions on direct access

Recently, the Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Advisory Committee submitted its recommendations to VA Secretary Anthony Principi. The recommendations, which will help Sec. Principi develop protocols governing chiropractic inclusion in the VA Health Care system, included a provision requiring veterans to obtain a referral from a primary health care provider in order to visit a chiropractor.

Two members of the Committee – Leona Fischer, D.C., of the World Chiropractic Alliance and Michael McLean, D.C., of the International Chiropractors Association – voted against that provision. They argued instead for direct access to chiropractors.

The other chiropractors on the Committee sided with the medical and osteopathic doctors and voted for the “gatekeeper” provision.

Luckily, Sec. Principi is not required to follow all of the recommendations. He could, for instance, choose to give veterans the right to see a chiropractor without a referral or “consultation.”

If you would like to express your opinion on this issue, you may fax a letter to Sec. Principi’s Chief of Staff, Nora Egan at 202-273-7236. 

Below is a sample letter you may use as a model for your own.

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Dear Mr. Secretary:

As a practicing chiropractor, I have been following the activities of the VA Chiropractic Advisory Committee over the last year. As I understand the most recent list of recommendations sent by the Committee to you, the Committee failed to recommend “direct access” to Chiropractors by VA beneficiaries.

Frankly, I am very disappointed with that recommendation. Clearly it does not support the intent of the Congress when they passed this statute.

I am respectfully requesting that you reject this recommendation and accept the “minority recommendation” of the Committee urging DIRECT access for VA beneficiaries to Doctors of Chiropractic.

Sincerely,