OKLAHOMA CITY – Federal lawmakers recently signed off on the final version of the National Defense Department Authorization Act, a measure which earmarks $900 billion to country’s defense department and includes a plan to restore chiropractic services at several military bases.
The bill also directs the Defense Health Agency to develop a plan to reopen closed chiropractic clinics and examine the possibility of putting chiropractic doctors at military facilities in the federal General Schedule system.
Under the measure, the Goodfellow, Barksdale, Maxwell, Dover, Hanscom, MacDill, Robins and Dyess Air Force bases will have chiropractic services restored. In addition, Joint Base Mc-Guire-Dix-Lakehurst, Dahlgren Naval Support Facility, New London Naval Submarine Base, and Albany Marine Corps Logistics Base will have their services restored, too.
The bill also earmarks about $34 billion for nuclear security through the Department of Energy, a 3.8% pay increase and funds for improvements in housing and childcare and continued support Ukraine and security in the Baltics.
Officials with the American Chiropractic Association said the move to restore services is consistent with the government’s ongoing concern over the use of opioids by active-duty members of the military and calls to make non-addictive alternatives for pain management more readily available to military personnel. They praised a House amendment to the measure written by Florida Republican Rep. Greg Steube.
“We thank Rep. Steube for his foresight to tackle this issue, and we also acknowledge House and Senate negotiators who kept the bulk of his amendment in the final package,” said John Falardeau, American Chiropractic Association’s senior vice president of public policy and advocacy.
Still while the change will affect thousands of military personnel across the country, it’s unknown how the measure will impact Oklahoma.
“The Tinker Medical Clinic has not received any guidance regarding chiropractic services at this time,” said Cody Starken, a spokesman for Tinker Medical Clinic. “We will promptly share any new health care services with our service members, beneficiaries, and the community as they become available. The Tinker Medical Clinic remains steadfast and committed to supporting the health and well-being of our service members and their families.”