April 07, 2011

Doctors Should Ask Patients to Contact Legislators, Support House Bill 496

House Bill 496, which was introduced with input from the NCCA, would make chiropractic co-pays equal to the co-pays of primary care doctors.  Sponsored by Reps. Tim Moore and Marion McLawhorn, the bill would thus give patients greater access to chiropractic care and ease financial barriers to care.  Please click here to view the full text of the bill.

It is vital that legislators hear from patients who support this bill.  Personal phone calls are the best way for patients to convey their message to legislators.  A personal letter, sent via U.S. mail, is the next-best way a patient can show support of HB 496.  Emails are the third-best option.  The NCCA has been advised that patients should NOT send faxes to their legislators.  Likewise, form letters are not the best option for communicating the message.

The NCCA has prepared a simple form letter that will help your patients draft their message to legislators.  Keep in mind that letters should be short and to-the-point.   Please click here to view the sample letter or view the talking points below.

Using the simple talking points below, doctors and patients are encouraged to contact their legislators and ask them to support House Bill 496. 

• House Bill 496 gives patients the equal access they deserve to seek chiropractic care.
• House Bill 496 eliminates the possibility of phantom chiropractic insurance benefits. 
• House Bill 496 eases financial barriers to care.
• Emerging evidence from an analysis of the N.C. State Health Plan shows that chiropractic care is half the cost of medical care for complicated low back pain.  This means that House Bill 496 could save the health care system money.

If you are unsure who represents you, please click here and do a ZIP code search to find contact information for your legislators. 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact NCCA Headquarters at 919.832.0611.