MDs opposing Access to Chiropractic care by Veterans and Military

Organized Medicine continues to show its prejudice against chiropractic in a Nov. 26, 2001 article from the American Medical News. This article starts off by saying, "Chiropractors seek primary care status at Veterans Affairs Dept. A House bill would name chiropractors as primary care providers in the VA health system. But opposition may lead to a study." The article refers to a bill passed by the US Congress and presently in the US Senate that would make chiropractic care available to all US veterans and service people.

The article states that the American Academy of Family Physicians has even started a letter writing campaign to the US Congress in opposition to the proposed law. Additionally, groups officially opposing the chiropractic provisions of the bill include the AMA, the American Osteopathic Assn. and the American Assn. of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Jerome McAndrews, a chiropractic spokesman, said the VA's policy does not give veterans sufficient access to chiropractic. "Because of the illegal boycott by physicians, it has been proven that for chiropractors to be welcomed or accepted there needs to be legislation requiring it because the resistance is all through the system. We need direct access."

The argument continues as the medical groups do not want the veterans and service people to have direct access to chiropractic care without first going to a medical doctor. Most chiropractors realize that this would mean that patients would be denied the benefits chiropractic care has given to millions of Americans.

The medical opinions stated in this article are in stark contrast to the overwhelming support of military and government personnel who received chiropractic care at the Pentagon after the September 11 attacks. At a facility called "Camp Freedom" hundreds of military and rescue workers lined up for chiropractic care each day to be adjusted. In the face of this type of response, arguments against allowing open access to chiropractic sound simply like turf wars.