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James E. Hamby, Jr.
TRICARE Help
Times News Service
6883 Commercial Drive
Springfield, VA 22159

Mr. Hamby:

While we appreciate your efforts to help readers navigate the often-complicated world of TRICARE, your March 23 article, “Chiropractic Has No Place in TRICARE,” offered a one-sided and inaccurate look at chiropractic—and likely left readers more confused than ever before.

Here are the facts: TRICARE does not currently cover services provided by doctors of chiropractic; however, the Chiropractic Care Health Care Program is available to active duty service members (including activated National Guard and Reserve members) at 49 designated military treatment facilities throughout the United States. While dependent family members, retirees and their families, former spouses, and survivors are not eligible for this program, they may seek chiropractic care in the local community at their own expense.

Contrary to the information provided in your article, doctors of chiropractic—not osteopaths—are the only health care professionals in the United States extensively trained in manipulation techniques and are the true masters in performing the art of spinal manipulation—a form of treatment performed 94 percent of the time in this country by doctors of chiropractic, according to the Rand Corporation. When it comes to managing chronic pain, there’s no magic solution that works for everyone, but chiropractic care is certainly an effective treatment option—and it only makes sense to put your health in the hands of the most highly-trained provider available.

Lastly, your reference to Dr. Stephen Barrett is questionable at best. While he positions himself as a protector of the public, his statements are, in reality, so one-sided that he simply cannot be taken seriously.  Further, his views on chiropractic are most certainly not representative of the entire medical community.

Many years ago when Dr. Barrett was a member of the Lehigh Valley Committee Against Health Fraud, the New Zealand Royal Commission stated that, “Nothing he has written…can be relied on as balanced.”  The commission further asserted that, “It is clear that the enthusiasm of the Lehigh Valley Committee Against Health Fraud is greater than its respect for accuracy…We are not prepared to place any reliance on material emanating from the Leigh Valley Committee.”  Since that time, Dr. Barrett has become even more set in his narrow-minded ways.   

In closing, U.S. Military members and their families trust the Military Times series of publications to provide them with accurate, unbiased information. By publishing this unbalanced portrayal, you have done a great disservice to your readers. When writing future articles, I strongly encourage you to use the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) as an information source.

Readers may be interested to know that in January, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., re-introduced legislation (HR 484) that would extend chiropractic health care services to U.S. military retirees, dependents and survivors as part of the TRICARE program. As part of this effort, TRICARE beneficiaries can show their support by calling their representatives in the U.S. House and urging them to join as original co-sponsors of the legislation. Representatives can be reached via the ACA Legislative Action Center (www.acatoday.org/LAC) or by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

To learn more about the benefits of full-scope chiropractic services and to find a doctor of chiropractic, visit the association’s Web site: www.ACAtoday.org or contact us directly at (703) 276-8800.

Sincerely,

Glenn D. Manceaux, DC, PT
President, American Chiropractic Association