Rep. Kiggans calls on Hampton VA to take action against chiropractic denial

July 17, 2024

News 3 has been investigating for months after veterans complained that the Hampton VA withdrew chiropractic care from them.

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, says she has also received complaints on this issue.

When we previously asked her about this topic, she told us, “If that is their preferred pain management, then we need to do our best to make sure they get that pain management.”

Watch: Rep. Kiggans responds to veterans’ complaints about denial of chiropractic care

Congresswoman Kiggans responds to veterans’ complaints about lack of chiropractic care

On Tuesday, Rep. Kiggans formally asked Dr. Taquisa Simmons, the CEO of the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), to investigate and take action on the recent denial of treatment of over 25 patients, according to a press release from her office.

The full letter that Rep. Kiggans sent to Dr. Simmons reads as follows:

“Dear Dr Simmons,

I am writing to express my ongoing concerns about veterans’ access to chiropractic care at the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Hampton VAMC) and to request a review of recent treatment denials.

On Thursday, April 24, 2024, I raised concerns with you and your staff regarding access to care. Following that meeting, my office was provided with a care contract between the chiropractic clinic and the Hampton VAMC’s primary care service. One of the terms of the contract states, “In the case of prior chiropractic treatment, documentation of meaningful clinical improvement is required. Meaningful clinical improvement is defined as an improvement of at least 20% by objective measures…” However, in further discussions with my office, many patients and their providers have alleged that treatment was denied despite documentation submitted to the Hampton VAMC showing the required improvement.

Patients continue to contact my office to express their frustrations and describe how their lives have changed negatively since they stopped receiving chiropractic care. They say they can no longer perform basic tasks like climbing stairs and showering without assistance due to debilitating pain. Others report increased back pain and mobility issues and describe in detail how this directly impacts their ability to work and their lives.

The Hampton VAMC’s highest priority should be providing safe, quality health care to our nation’s veterans. Accompanying this letter, my office is submitting information from over 25 patients for further review to determine if their treatment was appropriately discontinued. Thank you for your attention to my request. Please do not hesitate to refer your staff to my office with any questions.”

Rep. Kiggans said she met with Dr. Simmons and her team in April to raise concerns about access to chiropractic care for veterans at the Hampton VAMC.

However, the press release states that veterans still report denial of chiropractic care, which negatively impacts their ability to work and worsens their quality of life.

Watch: Local veterans angry as Hampton VA strips them of chiropractic care

Local veterans are angry that Hampton VA is cutting off their chiropractic care

During our investigation, the News 3 Investigative Team spoke with veterans who said they were told to live with the pain or try art or music therapy. Others told us they were given powerful narcotics that they didn’t want to take.

Dr. Michelle Rose is president of the Unified Virginia Chiropractic Association. She said they have been trying for months to figure out why veterans are being denied chiropractic care.

Dr. Rose and others brought their complaints to News 3’s investigative team and to Representative Kiggans.

Watch: Senator Kaine investigates why veterans don’t receive chiropractic care

Senator Kaine investigates why veterans do not receive chiropractic care

Veterans we spoke with say chiropractic care was the only thing that helped their pain, and they can’t understand why these sudden policy changes occurred.

The Hampton VA previously told News 3 that the initial referral for chiropractic care could include up to 12 visits and that in the interest of patient safety, chiropractic care is not intended as a long-term pain solution.

We have reached out to the Hampton VA for a response regarding the actions taken by Kiggans and are currently awaiting a response.