ARTICLE
There is no group of people more deserving and truly in need of chiropractic care than our nation’s veterans. The men and women of our Armed Forces make incredible sacrifices in service to our country, and the natural, drug & surgery free approach to chiropractic care is especially beneficial to our active duty military and our veterans. In fact, data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shows “disease of Musculoskeletal System/ Connective System” such as back pain, to be the #1 ailment of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans accessing VA treatments. Given the physical and mental trauma of combat, U.S. service members are far more likely to be prescribed opioids for everything from chronic pain to post-traumatic stress disorder. Not surprisingly, the statistics for prescription drug utilization through the VA system is staggering. More than 63,000 Americans died from opioid-related overdoses in 2016, according to a December report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Sadly, more than 22 veterans commit suicide every day and one-third of these suicides are directly related to prescription medications. The United States is beginning to open its eyes to the obvious issues at hand and society as a whole along with the VA system are seeking solutions outside of drugs and surgery. The most recent piece of exciting news is the possibility that chiropractic and acupuncture services could be covered by Tricare under a new policy set to be proposed in the next several months. Currently, chiropractic care is offered only to active-duty troops and activated Guard and Reserve members at 65 of the Defense Department's 54 military hospitals and 377 clinics. The Veterans' Choice Program has also aided in allowing veterans to have access to chiropractic care at designated civilian clinics on a limited basis when it is not offered on-site at a veterans' local facility. Local and national groups such as The Patriot Project, Halo for Freedom, and Spirit of a Hero have all embraced chiropractic care and have created a grass-roots initiative to connect more veterans in need of help to Texas chiropractors. The Texas Chiropractic Association’s goal is to keep every chiropractor in Texas updated on the latest events happening with the laws and eligibility surrounding the proposed Tricare changes and connect you with opportunities to serve those who have bravely served our country. If you have a heart to serve veterans either in your office or through volunteer events, I encourage you to reach out to the Texas Chiropractic Association so we can help align you with opportunities to serve. If you are a chiropractor in Texas and also a veteran, we especially thank you for your service! Andrew Oteo, DC TCA District 5 State Director Veterans Affairs Committee Chair