Dr Brett Says: Great to see articles like this in the m ain stream media. Finally people are cottoning onto what we have always known. Chiropractic care is a very important part of any prevention or wellness health care model. And given the state of our current crisis care model of health care it is obvious that a paradigm shift is required.

From Quad-City Times

In just 124 words, the U.S. Senate struck a blow for equity, fairness and - not insignificantly - better health care.

Those words in Section 2706 from the Senate's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act would require any health insurer to recognize "any health-care provider who is acting within the scope of that's provider's license or certification under applicable state law."

Around here, that means chiropractors.

Some progressive insurers have long reimbursed for chiropractic care after recognizing it can be an effective, lower-cost companion to surgery and medication. Most Quad-Citians are enlightened as well. Here is where chiropractors have subjected their discipline to the rigorous study that has proven its efficacy and incorporated it as part of a comprehensive, well-rounded care plan. Palmer College of Chiropractic has won federal support for testing to advance techniques and uses of care so common around here, we can hardly call it

"alternative."

We've been pleased to see many medical and chiropractic physicians around here working together to best meet patient needs.

But that's not true nationally.

Other communities not blessed with their own chiropractic college still suffer from a misconception that chiropractic is something less than a scientific discipline.

The inclusion of those 124 words at the request of U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin can help assure that chiropractic care and other licensed medical care is included in the much-needed health-care reform we hope emerges from Congress this year.

The section doesn't bestow any special privileges to chiropractic care. It specifically allows insurers to set reimbursement rates specifically for that type of care. But any service licensed by a state as medical care cannot be summarily dismissed by insurers.

So much of the helpful health-care reform discussion has revolved around preventive efforts and treatment for chronic conditions. This inclusion in the Senate bill hopefully will help all Americans learn what many Quad-Citians already know: Chiropractic care is not just an alternative to surgery and medication. Sometimes, it can be the preferred treatment.