109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1594
To require the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a plan
to provide chiropractic health care services and benefits as part of the TRICARE
program.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 13, 2005
Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire (for himself and Mr. MEEHAN) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a plan
to provide chiropractic health care services and benefits as part of the TRICARE
program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Retirees
and Dependents Act'.
SEC. 2. CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CARE FOR RETIREES, DEPENDENTS, AND SURVIVORS.
(a) Plan Required- Not later than July 31, 2005, the Secretary of Defense
shall complete development of a plan to provide chiropractic health care services
and benefits, as a permanent part of the TRICARE program, for covered beneficiaries.
(b) Contents of Plan- The plan shall require that a contract entered into
under section 1097 of title 10, United States Code, for the delivery of health
care services shall--
(1) include the delivery of chiropractic services;
(2) require that chiropractic services may be provided only by a doctor
of chiropractic; and
(3) provide that a covered beneficiary may select and have direct access
to a doctor of chiropractic without referral by another health practitioner.
(c) Implementation of Plan- The plan developed under subsection (a) shall
provide for implementation of the plan to begin no later than December 31,
2005.
(d) Definitions- In this section:
(1) The term `chiropractic services'--
(A) includes the diagnosis (including by diagnostic X-ray tests), correction,
and management of vertebral subluxations or neuromusculoskeletal conditions,
and such other chiropractic services determined appropriate by the Secretary;
and
(B) does not include the use of drugs or surgery.
(2) The term `covered beneficiary' has the meaning provided by section 1072(5)
of title 10, United States Code.
(3) The term `doctor of chiropractic' includes only a doctor of chiropractic
who is licensed as such by the State in which chiropractic services are
furnished.
(4) The term `TRICARE program' has the meaning provided by section 1072(7)
of title 10, United States Code.
END
