The largest medical provider in the United States has recognizes the vital role Chiropractic healing plays in the health of their patients. As a result, this enormous service organization has greatly expanded the level of Chiropractic care available to the millions of individuals.
That organization is the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the largest direct health care provider in the U.S. by far.
It was excellent news for veterans that Chiropractic healing became part of the VHA service package in 2001 – even though it took an Act of Congress to do it. At that time, Chiropractic services were ordered into each of the 21 geographic regions of the VHA. By the year 2004 this was fully implemented.
Twenty-four million living veterans and 38 million living survivors and dependents – totaling 62 million people – are presently eligible for Chiropractic services through the VHA. To provide a picture of the magnitude of the service facility, the VHA operates 154 hospitals, 136 nursing home units, 43 residential rehabilitation facilities, 875 outpatient clinics, and 206 Veterans centers. The VHA staff totals over 200,000 health care providers with a budget of $32 billion annually.
Chiropractors do play a vital role as specialty care providers to veterans in each of the 21 regions. Some DCs are full-time staff, others are contractors and some work on a part-time basis. In all cases, they work as part of an integrated team to provide enhanced care to veterans. They work on a wide variety of neuromusculoskeletal conditions after being referred by a primary care physician. As one might imagine, veteran's health situations can be very complex.
In Franklin, TN, Dr. Dwaine Allison at the Wellness Center of Franklin privately provides care to many veterans and is proud to assist them in their healing. He sees great value in the service provided to veterans by Chiropractors. Dr. Allison adds that this benefit not only helps the veterans and their families, it also improves the field of Chiropractic itself as the VA is the country's largest trainer of medical personnel. Patients learn about the benefits of Chiropractic and can tell others, and all types of medical personnel learn from seeing their patients improve because of their Chiropractic treatment. That's good for everyone.
If you would like to see what Chiropractic care can do for you, give Dr. Allison at the Wellness Center of Franklin a call at 615.790.6363 for an appointment or check out WellnessCenterofFranklin.com