Congressional Hearing on Commissioning DCs Set

By Editorial Staff

A hearing on H.R. 608, the bill to commission DCs in the military, is scheduled for April 30, 1992 before a subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee. The Military Personnel and Compensation Subcommittee chaired by Beverly Byron (D-Maryland) will hear from a panel chosen by representatives of the ACA and ICA. The panel, yet to be selected, is expected to include not only testimony from DCs, but from a non-chiropractor, and perhaps an M.D., or an M.D./D.C.

"We are currently working with the bill's chief sponsor, Congressman Lane Evans (D-Ill), and the committee staff to determine a suitable witness list," said Paul Kelly, ACA director of government relations. "In fact, Mr. Kelly noted, "the ACA hosted a meeting with ICA this very morning (March 20) to help coordinate the preparation of pro-chiropractic testimony for the hearing."

The exciting news for chiropractic came when Richard Miller, ACA's director of government relations told Dynamic Chiropractic that Strom Thurmond (R-SC), the sponsor of the Senate version of H.R. 608, announced he will appear before the subcommittee as a witness in support of the legislation.

Mr. Miller said it was unusual for a Senator to testify before a House committee in support of a bill and clearly reflected Senator Thurmond's deep support for the proposal.

"Thurmond is well respected by the Pentagon establishment," Mr. Miller observed, "and this should help send a signal to DOD that he and others in the Congress are serious in their support for this initiative."

There are currently 71 co-sponsors of H.R. 608: 51 Democrats; 19 Republicans; and one independent. Half of the 16 subcommittee members are co-sponsors of H.R. 608: Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Albert Bustamente (D-TX); Dennis Hertel (D-MI); George Hochbrueckner (D-NY); Martin Lancaster (D-NC); Owen Pickett (D-VA); Arthur Ravenel Jr. (R-SC); and Ike Skelton (D-MO).

"Before it's over, Mr. Miller concluded, "I'm confident we'll have a majority of the subcommittee on our side, principally because the grassroots efforts of the profession are really paying off."