As South Dakota’s 86th Legislative Session prepared for adjournment on March 28, 2011, approximately 60 doctors of chiropractic from around the state rallied at the Capitol in support of HB 1146, which would mandate that chiropractic co-payments equal those of primary care providers. Previously, doctors of chiropractic were labeled as specialists, which resulted in higher co-pays for patients. HB 1146 originally passed in the House by a vote of 52 to 16 and passed the Senate by a vote of 20 to 13, but Governor Dennis Daugaard vetoed the measure upon passage. The veto was subsequently overridden in the House and Senate by 51 to 15 and 25 to 10 votes, respectively. HB 1146 will take effect on July 1, 2010.
“This new law is a victory for health care consumers in South Dakota, and we applaud everyone in the state who worked to make this happen,” said ACA Vice President Dr. Keith Overland. “Patients now have more choices in regard to their health care, and doctors of chiropractic are being treated on a par with other primary care providers in South Dakota.”
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For Your Health,
Dr. Mat Pastore