Students, faculty and staff at Cleveland Chiropractic College worked together June 1-3 on an email campaign to increase support among elected officials regarding chiropractic care for veterans. This comes as Congress is considering new legislation that would drastically change the way veterans receive care.
If passed, the legislation would vastly increase the number of sites where veterans can receive chiropractic care. In May, the U.S. House of Representatives Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously passed H.R. 1017, which would phase in the expansion of chiropractic services to more than 120 additional Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers across the country.
Currently, there are doctors of chiropractic stationed at only 36 VA facilities. Meanwhile, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) introduced S.1204, a companion bill to the House measure. As time was of the essence it was imperative that the number of co-sponsors for S.1204 increased to ensure final passage of the VA bill.
To help generate additional support in the Senate, Clevelanders rallied for the cause. Utilizing computer terminals in the Dining Hall, Clevelanders were able to take a few moments between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to send their respective senator(s) an email show of support for S.1204.
During the three-day event there were more than 250 emails sent to various senators encouraging them to support the bill. Both the Kansas City and Los Angeles campuses also launched campaigns on their Facebook pages.
Todd Steinbrecher directed the event on the CCCKC campus. As president of the Student Kansas Chiropractic Association (SKCA), Steinbrecher coordinated with other Clevelanders and campus groups to generate interest among chiropractic colleges nationwide. He commended the support of the many people and departments on campus that helped make this event a success, including his peers.
“I was overwhelmed with about 20 volunteers and it made me feel very proud of my Tri-II class,” Steinbrecher said. “They really pulled through for us. I think it showed that we can make a difference.”
Steinbrecher said because of the cooperation from the administration and the assistance from the I.T. department with the computer, the process was completely streamlined for maximum efficiency. In about 45 seconds, Clevelanders were able to fill out their information and send the email, allowing them to have a voice with a minimal time investment.
As a veteran, Steinbrecher knows the toll that military service takes on the soldiers and he remains a strong advocate of doing everything possible to ensure they receive the care they need. This is why he is so passionate about the pending legislation.
“I can’t tell you how many people chiropractic has helped in active duty military,” Steinbrecher said. “The number one ailment of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is musculoskeletal. It just makes sense that chiropractic is available for all active duty and veterans.”
Beyond helping those who have served their country, Steinbrecher said the legislation will also create jobs and help promote chiropractic.
