http://www.twitter.com/acaonthehillSummer is often a time in Washington where the business of government seems to slow down as everyone starts to look forward to the August recess and dreads the oncoming heat and humidity.  However, this year is a change from years past, as not only has Washington pretty much been spared oppressive temperatures, but the Senate has decided to stick around most of August and the Trump Administration has issued a proposal, and a final regulation, that could very well shape healthcare policy for years to come.

Regular attendees of ACA’s National Chiropractic Leadership Conference (NCLC) have learned to expect nature to play a supporting role during this action-packed event, and this year did not disappoint. With wind storms topping out at more than 70 mph, and the cancelling of votes in the U.S. House of Representatives to make way for the late Rev. Billy Graham to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda, NCLC 2018 was especially challenging. Nevertheless, hundreds of chiropractors and students forged ahead, enthusiastically delivering the profession’s message to more than 300 officials and their staff members in the House and Senate.

In the early morning hours of Friday, Feb. 9, the House passed a bill that was passed by the Senate several hours earlier to keep the government funded for another two years.  This action by Congress ensures fiscal “peace” through this year’s mid-term election and into 2019.  Shortly after the House passed the measure, the president signed the bill, again effectively ending the threat of a government shutdown for the foreseeable future.

*Member-Exclusive Content* The federal tax bill approved by Congress today—and on its way now to the president's desk for his signature—contains several provisions that may affect chiropractic clinics and chiropractic students. Among the massive rework of the federal tax code is language that deals with “pass through” business tax, student loans and changes to the Affordable Care Act.

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Readers who follow the American Chiropractic Association know full implementation of the chiropractic benefit in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system is one of the premier issues ACA is diligently working to address. Recently, the Senate VA Committee held a hearing on pending health and benefits legislation where it considered several bills, including S. 609, "The Chiropractic Care to All Veterans Act of 2017," which received support from numerous veterans service organizations.