Two Colorado congressmen reached across the aisle Wednesday to form a caucus devoted to health and wellness – including therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic and mindfulness.

U.S. Reps. Jared Polis, a Boulder Democrat, and Mike Coffman, an Aurora Republican, will serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Integrative Health and Wellness Congressional Caucus, their offices announced.

The caucus – one of more than 200 Congressional Member Organizations in the House of Representatives – will be a nonpartisan forum for lawmakers to learn about research and legislative opportunities involving health and wellness approaches that fall under the integrative health heading, including prevention, health creation, health promotion and general well-being.

“While at least a third of Americans use complementary or alternative medicines, access is often inconsistent,” they said in a joint release. “This caucus will provide a platform for legislators to participate together and focus on the important opportunity that integrative health and wellness approaches offers across federally funded health programs, and find ways to make these solutions more available to the American people.”

Both lawmakers said they hope the caucus will help promote less expensive and more effective treatments for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

“I think it’s important for patients to have all the facts and latest research when it comes to therapies and treatments available to them when making medical decisions,” Coffman said in a statement. “I am happy to co-chair the Health and Wellness Caucus with my fellow Colorado colleague, Jared Polis, as we can contribute immensely given our experience dealing with healthcare in a state as diverse as Colorado.”

“Integrative and complementary therapies and treatments are often the missing piece for people on their journey to health and wellness,” Polis said in a statement. “As we debate how we can further the health care system in the (United States), we must ensure that it is affordable and accessible to all – but also, we must ensure that it provides the best possible care available. That means investing in evidence-based integrative care.”

Polis added that the endeavor with Coffman should serve as a reminder that a bipartisan approach can lead to health care solutions.

Both lawmakers also belong to the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members that’s been working on health care legislation.