October Alert: If We Don’t Show Up, Chiropractic Doesn’t Show Up

Hospitals, the AMA, and the PT lobby are already shaping 2026 health policy. If chiropractic is quiet, we’ll be sidelined – on Medicare, in the VA, and now on military bases. BAC-PAC is the profession’s only federal Super PAC. Early money talks. Let’s be loud.

Important Legislative News (and why it hits your clinic):

1) House NDAA Amendment: Re-open On-Base Chiropractic Clinics

The House adopted Rep. Greg Steube’s amendment (No. 281) to the FY26 defense bill directing the Defense Health Agency to (a) develop a plan to re-open any closed on-base chiropractic clinic that previously offered services and (b) pay DCs on the federal GS scale, with a report due to Congress by March 31, 2026. This language rode on Rules Committee Print 119-8 and cleared the House with the NDAA package.

Why it matters: Restores hands-on access for service members/families and stabilizes recruitment/retention of DCs across DoD facilities, while also complimenting efforts related to Veteran and Medicare patient access to chiropractic care.

2) Veterans’ ACCESS Act (H.R. 740): faster referrals, cleaner payment

The Veterans’ ACCESS bill codifies community-care access standards (e.g., 20-day/30-minute for primary & 28-day/60-minute for specialty), requires the Veterans Administration to notify vets when they qualify, respects provider preference/continuity, discusses telehealth without letting it block in-person eligibility, and extends the claims timely-filing window under the prompt-pay standard.

Why it matters: More veterans can reach local Doctors of Chiropractic without delays; better cash-flow protection for clinics serving veterans.

Why We Must Punch Above Our Weight

AHA and AMA dwarf our profession in political muscle every cycle. BAC-PAC exists so chiropractic isn’t drowned out in federal races. When we’re strong, pro-chiro language moves. When we’re quiet, it stalls.

What Your Support Immediately Powers

• Targeted backing for candidates supporting legislation that is pro-chiropractic.
• Policy briefings & district outreach that keep DCs in the room while statutory text is written.
• Rapid response when hospital/medical coalitions try to stall modernization.

The Ask:
Urgent, Simple, Doable

One adjustment a month = $50 to BAC-PAC. Many hands make light work – and no one has better hands than chiropractors.
Set up a monthly gift now and keep our voice in the fight all fall.

Amplify: Share this e-blast with three colleagues;
post #BetterAccessToChiropracticPAC and tag @betteraccesstochiropractic today.
 Bottom line: No one else will stand up for chiropractic in federal races. Either we show up, or we’re left out.