Outspoken chiropractic ally and dedicated veterans' advocate Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) was the highlight of the Chiropractic Coalition's 2007 Legislative Day presentations in Washington, DC, April 26, 2007.

Filner spoke at length about his own personal experience with chiropractic and stated his passionate belief that if he, as a private citizen, had easy access to chiropractic care, the nation's veterans -- whose sacrifices have earned them the right to the very best possible care -- should have the same option.

Filner recently introduced legislative initiatives aimed at easing access to chiropractic services for US military veterans. On March 12, 2007, he introduced HR 1470, legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to offer chiropractic care at all facilities no later than December 31, 2011. This key initiative, titled "Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act," will expedite the expansion of the routine availability of chiropractic services at all VA facilities, sending a powerful signal to the still-medically-dominated veterans' health care system that any bureaucratic obstacles to access for veterans to needed chiropractic services will not be tolerated.

On the same day, Filner also introduced HR 1471, the "Better Access to Chiropractors to Keep Our Veterans Healthy Act" (BACK Veterans Health Act), legislation that would provide for much needed direct access to chiropractic services for eligible veterans. This legislation would address the long waiting periods and the documented reluctance or outright refusal of medical doctors and physical therapists, now in the gatekeeper role in the Department of Veterans Affairs, to provide referrals for veterans for chiropractic care.

The bill, when enacted into law would provide that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, "shall permit eligible veterans to receive needed medical services, rehabilitative services, and preventative health services from a licensed doctor of chiropractic on a direct access basis at the election of the eligible veteran."

Both HR 1470 and 1471 have been referred to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs where Filner now serves as Committee Chairman. Hearings before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs on HR 1470 and 1471 were held on the same day as the Coalition's Legislative Day event, April 26th. At Filner's invitation, nearly 40 Legislative Day participants attended the hearings on these key chiropractic bills.

All three members of the Chiropractic Coalition – the World Chiropractic Alliance, International Chiropractors Association, and Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations – support both bills.

The Chiropractic Coalition took the opportunity of Filner's presence at the 2007 Legislative Day proceedings to present him with a special award, acknowledging him as "America's Most Outstanding Public Servant" for 2007.

"Both the chiropractic profession and members of the Armed Forces are extremely fortunate that Rep. Filner has been a tireless and dedicated campaigner for freedom of choice in health care," stated Terry A. Rondberg, DC, president of the WCA. "For years, he has been one of the best allies we have had in Congress."


Michael S. McLean, DC, co-chair of the ICA's Legislative Committee, added that "America's veterans are truly fortunate to have Rep. Filner in the US Congress as an advocate and an innovator." "The recent scandals surrounding the sub-standard conditions and questionable care provided to wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other facilities have dramatically raised the nation's consciousness in the area of the care provided to military veterans and will perhaps assist in securing the passage of these bills."

Filner is in the vanguard of public officials seeking to make certain that such shortcomings are immediately and effectively addressed and that similar neglect is never an issue in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In his public statement on this issue, Filner said: "The events reported at Walter Reed were a break in faith with our troops. We must be able to rely on the chain of command in order to address the serious problems not only at Walter Reed, but at the military facilities across the country. My concerns are focused on how we serve our troops when they turn from the Pentagon to the VA for their healthcare. In order for our troops to experience the seamless transition they deserve, the bureaucratic problems that prevent many from getting the care they need must be fixed. I am committed to preventing similar situations to Walter Reed from striking the VA system. Clearly, we need an oversight and inspection system that is separate from the agency that is being overseen."

Filner brings an impressive mix of achievements and qualifications to the U.S. House of Representatives, and is one of the few Members of Congress with a scientific degree and one of only 18 members in the House holding a Ph.D. With public service at many levels of government, from the San Diego School Board to the San Diego City Council, and then Deputy Mayor of San Diego, Filner first went to Congress in 1992, representing California's 51st District.

One of Filner's early appointments upon arriving in Washington was to a seat on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. In that capacity he has won praise from thousands of veterans and high accolades from national veterans' organizations and health care groups including the chiropractic profession.

Filner called attention to and encouraged action on health problems affecting soldiers who had served in Vietnam and the Gulf War. He has worked for more mental health care for veterans and to ensure that GI benefits keep up with inflation. He was successful in getting better pay for VA dentists and increasing small business opportunities for veterans.

"Long years of service have taught Congressman Filner that there are no easy solutions to the problems facing us. Nor does any one person or any one group have a monopoly on the truth," said McLean. "Rep, Filner truly understands that progress comes only when people work together behind a common agenda to make things better. That's what Rep. Filner believes and that's what Rep. Filner does."

Now serving his sixth term, Filner continues to focus on the critical junctures where governmental action can make a difference in the lives of the people and the health of the nation. "Personally, I'm fortunate to live in Rep. Filner's district," Dr. Rondberg noted. "In our many conversations, he's never failed to impress me with his intelligence, dedication and honesty."

The Chiropractic Coalition, founded in November 2002 by the WCA, ICA and FSCO to bring together diverse subluxation-based chiropractic organizations working in the best interest of the public and the profession.

Spurring the formation of the group was the widespread concern that chiropractic is in danger of being taken over by a group of medically oriented chiropractors and organizations who are trying to change the very nature of the profession, and in the process minimizing the profession’s unique role in health care and possibly placing the public at risk. To learn more about the Chiropractic Coalition, visit its website at www.chiropracticcoalition.org.