An Open Letter to Our President

Dear Fellow Chirpractors:

As we enter into this critical time of debate regarding the future of health care in our country, we must all participate. Every voice counts, if it is heard that is. Take a few moments to send a letter to the White House, and to your local representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives. Though I am optimistic about the contributions chiropractic will make in the future, regardless the outcome of the legislative compromises ahead, I believe we should help to frame the debate. We have as a profession contributed greatly to the health and welfare of our fellow citizens since 1895. I know we will continue to do so. However, we must have a voice in the national debate to have maximum impact at this juncture.

June 2, 2009

Barack Obama

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I am a second-generation chiropractor. I grew up personally witnessing the incredible benefits of chiropractic care in our community. My father the late Dr. Richard Heun practiced in Napa, California for nearly 40 years. In that time, thousands of people suffering from all sorts of physical ailments sought and received help from my father. This patient-centered approach to hands on health care inspired me to pursue a career in chiropractic as well.

I practiced in Pinole, CA for twenty years. My focus was on sports and spinal rehabilitation. I developed a multi-disciplinary clinic, incorporating the latest rehabilitation techniques with a team of professionals from other disciplines. We had great success in helping many patients regain their function and strength, to return to productivity, and to enjoy their lives again.

I have retired from practice, and now mentor chiropractors with the objective of developing clinical excellence, and mastering a patient-centered approach to practice success. I teach seminars and workshops, and counsel doctors throughout our great country, and in the UK, Australia and Japan. The profession is alive and well all over the world.

As you begin to implement your plans for health care reform, please remember the value my profession provides the public. We are the largest drugless healing art. We as a profession represent the third largest block of physicians in the USA. We provide a primary portal of entry in health care, the role of the “family physician” in many small communities. We are all well trained, and can integrate as part of a health care team, dedicated to helping our fellow citizens from a conservative health care perspective. For many ailments affecting the human frame and muscular system, we offer the least invasive, safest, and least costly solution available.

You have an ambitious agenda ahead of you Mr. President. I am sure you would agree that we all must contribute in order for our country to thrive. Chiropractors, and the profession as a whole can help you to shoulder some of the burden of caring for our citizens. However, we need you to include us in any and all proposed solutions in order to play our role and do what we are trained to do.

I wish you the best in your endeavors. I encourage you to let the chiropractic profession help you achieve your objectives. Thank you for your time, I wish you and your family the best.

Sincerely,

Dr. Scott J. Heun