According to email reports, Illinois Doctor of Chiropractic, Gary R. Street, has been attempting to collect from the top presidential candidates their exact position in regards to chiropractic and especially Medicare, for the last six (6) weeks. Apparently the task has not been such an easy job, since one presidential candidate reportedly refuses to reply with a written position. The only official response as to a presidential candidate position on chiropractic and Medicare is from the office of Barack Obama.
The following letter from the office of Barack Obama is dated October 13, 2008.
Dear Friends,
I am glad to have this opportunity to again share my thoughts on the role doctors of chiropractic play in the American health care system. As I have said before, doctors of chiropractic play an important role in our health care system, and my commitment to you and your patients remains strong.
As I have said, I believe steps should be taken to acknowledge the important care provided by doctors of chiropractic. We need to knock down unreasonable barriers of access and discriminatory insurance coverage so Americans in need of quality chiropractic care can access it without difficulty. We need to expand the range of chiropractic services covered by Medicare, facilitate integration of doctors of chiropractic into the health care systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, and allow commission of doctors of chiropractic as officers in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. And again, under my health care plan, many, if not all, chiropractic services would be included in the benefit package offered in the public plan.
America faces challenges both at home and abroad. To remain competitive, we must ensure that our health care system is accessible for every American. That is why my plan ensures quality, accessible heath care for all Americans. Doctors of chiropractic will play an important role in achieving this goal. I look forward to a strong relationship with the ACA as we build that future together.
