[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ESTABLISHING A PERMANENT DIVISION OF CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES IN THE 
               VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION--H.R. 4421

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
authorize the employment of doctors of chiropractic as full-time health 
care professionals by the Department of Veterans Affairs and establish 
a permanent division of chiropractic services in the Veterans Health 
Administration. Joining me as original cosponsors of the bill in the 
House are Representatives Paul Kanjorski, Dale Kildee, Bob Filner, Jim 
McDermott, Thomas Manton, Neil Abercrombie, Joseph Kennedy, Luis 
Gutierrez, Eleanor Holmes Norton, George Brown, Martin Frost, and 
Charles Rangel, Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, James Leach, Patrick Kennedy, 
Bennie Thompson, and Virgil Goode, Jr.
  Each day in the U.S. more than one million Americans seek the 
services of doctors of chiropractic, receiving effective, safe and 
appropriate care from highly trained, state licensed providers. 
Beneficiaries in federal programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and 
federal workers compensation, have routine availability to chiropractic 
services to meet their health care needs. In contrast, the Department 
of Veterans Affairs has not routinely provided veterans access to this 
beneficial form of health care regardless of their specific needs or 
personal wishes.
  The research record continues to validate the use of chiropractic for 
a wide range of conditions. Even the U.S. Public Health Service, 
through the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, rates ``manual 
manipulation'' as one of the top choices for back problems in adults 
because of its effectiveness and low cost. Chiropractic offers veterans 
a drugless, non-surgical option--an option that is a much-needed 
addition to the care available through VA.
  In virtually all other areas of the Federal health-care delivery 
system, Congress has recognized the role of chiropractic care, thereby 
ensuring that beneficiaries have a voice in choosing health care 
options that are best for them. My legislation will provide veterans 
the same ability to make health care choices that best address their 
specific needs.
  It is time to end this long-standing inequity in federal health care 
programs and give veterans a real choice in their health care. Our 
veterans deserve no less.

                          ____________________