As Congress re-examines the Medicare program, the ACA has developed a
legislative strategy that will protect chiropractic patients in the
new Medicare+Choice program, as well as increasing the scope of
practice for doctors of chiropractic in the Medicare Part B program.
Continuing ACA's effort to increase beneficiaries' access to
chiropractic services in Medicare, the government relations staff has
developed an aggressive offensive legislative strategy. This effort
includes the introduction of legislation that would amend title XVIII
of the Social Security Act to provide reimbursement for all physician
services for doctors of chiropractic, within the scope of their
license, under the Medicare program. The ACA is pleased to announce
that on March 3, 1999, Congressman Wes Watkins (R-OK) introduced this
important legislation, Chiropractic Patients' Freedom of Choice Act
(H.R. 1046). His own personal experience with chiropractic has
convinced him that the Medicare program needs to provide patients real
choice by granting beneficiaries equitable access to health care
services provided by doctors of chiropractic. An American Health Line
article regarding this important legislation is attached below.
Although the ACA knows this will be a difficult battle because of the
likely projected cost, it feels that the current limited physician
status for doctors of chiropractic in Medicare is at the heart of the
problem the profession is now experiencing in the program. With the
momentum generated by the victory in the 105th Congress in eliminating
the mandatory x-ray requirement in Medicare, the ACA feels that this
is the right time and the best opportunity for this legislation. It
is imperative that you call or write your Member of Congress and
request that he/she cosponsor H.R. 1046.
Capitol Switch Board Number - (202) 224-3121
The Honorable XXXXX
Your Representative's address -
The ACA will announce its strategy for correcting the Medicare+Choice
problem in the very near future.
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
