Chiropractor Hopes Governator Will Advance Alternative Care
Schwarzenegger Is Fan Of Chiropractic
UPDATED: 3:31 p.m. EDT May 24, 2004
OMAHA, Neb. -- Could having a lifelong fitness junkie in the California statehouse prompt changes in health care coverage? One chiropractor thinks so.
Dr. Bob. Cox, of Omaha, said Arnold Schwarzenegger's election as California governor last year could mean changes in the way that state approaches worker's compensation. And so goes California, so goes the country, Cox hopes.
Specifically, Cox (pictured, left with Schwarzenegger) thinks the new governor could change the worker's compensation laws to allow direct access to chiropractic care, rather than through referrals. Many states make it difficult for injured workers to access chiropractic care and still be covered by worker's comp insurance policies.
Schwarzenegger, a former Mr. Universe and action-movie hero, is a fan of chiropractic. He spoke to the International Chiropractors Association conference in Columbus, Ohio, in March, which Cox attended. It was the 12th consecutive year Schwarzenegger spoke to the group.
"We share a common mission, and that is health and fitness for everyone," the governor told the ICA convention.
Cox said that, as governor, Schwarzenegger can combine his chiropractic advocacy with his new power of the bully pulpit to change insurance laws.
"He can push some laws through so people have access to chiropractic. I'm hoping Arnold, now that he's governor, will help people get access," Cox said.
Cox wants people filing worker's compensation claims to have access to noninvasive chiropractic care before they are subjected to surgery. Many states' laws currently cover surgery, but not chiropractic.
A report in the April 26 issue of Newsweek said more people are turning to chiropractic and other forms of alternative care for pain relief. There are 60,000 chiropractors today -- a 50 percent increase over 1990.
"It's gaining confidence," said Cox. "The general public is more understanding of (chiropractic) because more people have seen a chiropractor."
Specifically, Cox (pictured, left with Schwarzenegger) thinks the new governor could change the worker's compensation laws to allow direct access to chiropractic care, rather than through referrals. Many states make it difficult for injured workers to access chiropractic care and still be covered by worker's comp insurance policies.
Schwarzenegger, a former Mr. Universe and action-movie hero, is a fan of chiropractic. He spoke to the International Chiropractors Association conference in Columbus, Ohio, in March, which Cox attended. It was the 12th consecutive year Schwarzenegger spoke to the group.
"We share a common mission, and that is health and fitness for everyone," the governor told the ICA convention.
Cox said that, as governor, Schwarzenegger can combine his chiropractic advocacy with his new power of the bully pulpit to change insurance laws.
"He can push some laws through so people have access to chiropractic. I'm hoping Arnold, now that he's governor, will help people get access," Cox said.
Cox wants people filing worker's compensation claims to have access to noninvasive chiropractic care before they are subjected to surgery. Many states' laws currently cover surgery, but not chiropractic.
A report in the April 26 issue of Newsweek said more people are turning to chiropractic and other forms of alternative care for pain relief. There are 60,000 chiropractors today -- a 50 percent increase over 1990.
"It's gaining confidence," said Cox. "The general public is more understanding of (chiropractic) because more people have seen a chiropractor."
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