Interest groups push to fill margins of health coverage

The chiropractors were out in force, lobbying for months to get their services included in every state?s package of essential health benefits that will be guaranteed under the new health care law. The acupuncturists were modest by comparison, ultimately focusing on a few states, like California, where they had the best odds of being included. Both efforts seem to have shown results. Most of the roughly two dozen states that have chosen their essential benefits—services that insurance will have to cover under the law—have decided to include chiropractic care in their package. Four states—California, Maryland, New Mexico and Washington—included acupuncture for treating pain, nausea and other ailments.