Health Freedom Update for April 2009
Thursday, April 2nd, 2009Health Freedom Update for April 2009
Kimberly Sharples, HHP, Health Freedom Activist
For Your Health Freedom
www.fyhf.synthasite.com
kimberlysharples@msn.com
(719) 390-1979
There is a health freedom website where you can view updates across the United States. This website address is: www.fyhf.synthasite.com
I also have the yahoo group set up so that you will receive important alerts as they are released. Just send a blank email to: FYHF-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
We all have friends, relatives, customers, etc in other states. This is a good way to pass along information to people you know in other states.
Please remember that each state has different laws and regulations regarding what you can and cannot do when it comes to complementary and alternative health care.
There are currently 6 states that have health freedom laws. These are: Minnesota, California, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Idaho. If you live in one of these states, you need to know the laws regarding health freedom, what you can and cannot do, and what disclosures you may need to provide to your clients. The GOOD NEWS is New Mexico just passed a Health Freedom Law. This now makes 7 states that have Health Freedom Laws. They are just waiting to have the Governor sign this into law.
There are 16 states and the District of Columbia that license or regulate naturopathic physicians. If your state is one that regulates naturopathic physicians, you need to know what that law says in regards to what you can and cannot do. These states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia.
NATIONAL HEALTH FREEDOM ORGANIZATIONS
• Coalition for Natural Health: www.naturalhealth.org or Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
• Health Keepers Alliance: www.healthkeepers.net
• Health Freedom For All: www.healthfreedomforall.org
• Citizens for Health: www.citizens.org
• American Association for Health Freedom: www.healthfreedom.net
• National Health Federation: www.thenhf.com
• National Health Freedom Action/Coalition: www.nationalhealthfreedom.org
For questions or more information about health freedom in your state, please feel free to contact me: kimberlysharples@msn.com or (719) 390-1979.
HEALTH FREEDOM INFORMATION
ALASKA
Alaska has introduced a Naturopathic Physician bill, SB70: http://www.aksenate.org/index.php?bill=SB70
For more information, contact Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
ARIZONA
From the National Health Federation
http://www.thenhf.com/government_affairs/state/state_60.html
Arizona Health-Freedom Proposition Narrowly Defeated
In the recent American 2008 elections, various States had propositions on their ballots for citizen consideration and voting. In Arizona, one such proposition was Proposition 101 (the “Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act”), which was an initiative on its Nov. 4th ballot proposing to amend the Arizona Constitution to ensure freedom of choice in health plans and the right to pay privately for lawful medical services.
Unfortunately, Proposition 101 did not pass. While Proposition 101 won in 12 out of 15 Arizona counties, it failed to pass on the Statewide popular vote by 1,048,624 to 1,039,585 votes (50.2 to 49.8 percent), a very small margin. The Proposition’s backers, Drs. Eric Novack and Jeffrey Singer, announced, “We regret that we were unable to overcome the significant financial disadvantage we had and the intervention of the Governor and a major state agency in the campaign. Regardless, we are proud of the effort we put forward and are looking forward to continuing to be a part of the health care reform discussion in our state well into the future.”
Given the close vote, this proposition will almost certainly be placed back on the Arizona ballot in 2010 for voter approval.
CANADA
The Canadian Parliament adjourned for the summer without debating or passing bills C-51 and C-52, bills that could have overturned long standing legal precedent protecting Canadians’ health freedom.
For more information, you can view this site:
http://www.citizens.org/latest-happenings/health-freedom-victory-in-canada-for-now
CALIFORNIA
Prop 65 is proposed regulation that wants to classify all beneficial nutrients with above-RDA potencies as cancer-causing agents under unless proven otherwise.
For more information, please go to this website: http://www.thenhf.com/press_releases/pr_12_may_2008.html
There is also California Health Freedom Coalition: www.californiahealthfreedom.com and
California Citizens for Health Freedom: www.citizenshealth.org or
Email: frank@citizenshealth.org
From the California Citizens for Health Freedom website:
This year we are concentrating our efforts on passing a Bill that would allow licensed physicians to offer safe/effective alternative treatments for cancer.
Freedom for physicians in California to have the same rights as physicians have in other states to offer safe/effective alternative treatment for cancer is illegal under Section 109335 of the Health and Safety Code.
It has been the goal of our organization to change the California law that makes it a criminal offense to prescribe or administer cancer treatments other than chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. There are alternative treatments for cancer that are very effective, less expensive and do not have the terrible side effects of the conventional treatments.
We introduced a cancer freedom bill in the past with thousands of support letters yet this bill was defeated. The political power of the California Medical Association, the opposition by the oncology physicians and the Medical Board along with the influence of the drug industry has made it almost impossible for passage of an alternative cancer bill.
This year our organization is trying a different approach. We are focusing on the Medical Board to reinstate their Committee on Alternative Treatments and to present to that Committee the facts about the safety and effectiveness of alternative treatments for cancer. The goal is to prevail on the Medical Board to sponsor a bill to change the state law.
For more information, go to their website: http://www.citizenshealth.org/californiabills.htm
COLORADO
From Colorado For Health Freedom
A monopolistic naturopathic physician bill has been introduced that we are opposing. This is HB 09-1175 and you can view it here: http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2009a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/EED6C188F451AFB38725754700782701?Open&file=1175_01.pdf
This bill passed the House committees and Floor and has been assigned to the Health and Human Service committee in the Senate.
We need your help. We are asking people to contact members of this committee and ask them to vote NO on HB 1175. For more information on how to do this, please go to the website: www.co4hf.synthasite.com and also join the CO4HFG yahoo group
Join by sending a blank email to: CO4HFG-subscribe@yahoogroups.com OR send your email address to Kim at kimberlysharples@msn.com and she will add you to this yahoo group and you will automatically receive health freedom emails.
For those who do not have Internet access, an updated message number has been setup for your convenience. We will leave messages to keep you informed of important information and legislation. This is available 24/7. Just dial 1-641-715-3900 and enter code 9357483# You may also leave a message at this number and someone will return your call.
You can also contact Kimberly Sharples at kimberlysharples@msn.com or 719-390-1979 for more information.
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut Health Freedom Coalition – Craig Respasz – crepasz@hotmail.com
DELAWARE
From American Association for Health Freedom:
http://www.healthfreedom.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=710&Itemid=
Help Preserve Choice in Nutritional Therapy in Delaware
After a state legislature passes a new law, regulations are drawn up which dictate how that legislation is applied and carried out. Right now, Delaware is creating regulations for its Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensure Act.
Over the past several years, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has been pressing state legislatures to accept registrations only from ADA’s credentialing arm to satisfy the state’s nutritionist licensing requirements. Meanwhile, qualified professionals who hold a current certificate from other established credentialing agencies are unable to practice nutritional therapy in that state.
And that is what is happening in Delaware. As currently proposed, highly qualified professionals whose credentials are from other agencies will be prohibited from practicing nutritional therapy in Delaware. AAHF believes the restrictive language in these regulations not only misinterprets the legislation, but will create a monopoly for the ADA.
At a minimum, we are requesting that the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists (CBNS) be included in the Delaware regulations as a credentialing agency. This will protect the consumer’s right to choose from whom they receive their information and advice, and will ensure that competent, highly qualified professionals have the right to practice nutritional therapy. The education, internship, and exam requirements of CBNS actually exceed the standards set by the Delaware Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensure Act.
Please support our efforts to include CBNS as a certifying organization. You can do this in one of two ways:
1. Submit a written comment to the Delaware State Board of Dietetics/Nutrition no later than April 17, 2009. The address is:
Delaware State Board of Dietetics/Nutrition
861 Silver Lake Boulevard
Dover, DE 19904
You can go to the website to view sample letters for citizens and practitioners.
2. Attend the public hearing at 1:45 p.m. on April 17, 2009, at the same address. The public hearing will be in the Cannon Building, Second Floor, in Conference Room B.
HAWAII
House bill 1196 has been introduced. This bill has amendments to the Naturopathic Physician Act. For more information, contact Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
IDAHO
From Natural Health Idaho
Idaho has a bill, S1014 that will repeal the Naturopathic Physician Licensing Act. This has passed the Senate and is now in the House. For more information about Idaho, contact Boyd at: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org or info@naturalhealthidaho.org. You can also visit the website for Idaho CNH at: www.naturalhealthidaho.org
ILLINOIS
HR0095 creates a task force on the licensure of Naturopathic Physicians: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=0095&GAID=10&GA=96&DocTypeID=HR&LegID=44565&SessionID=76
For more information, contact Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
IOWA
From Iowa Health Freedom Coalition
Our work for 2009 has already begun. Our website improvements include a PayPal button that will make donating or renewing membership a breeze. Check it out at: http://www.iowahealthfreedom.org/join.html
We now have a Speakers Bureau where groups can request a speaker on many topics relating to health freedom, access to holistic wellness, and current laws or legislation relating to holistic, integrative wellness. Please visit the site: http://www.iowahealthfreedom.org/speakersbureau.html and line up a speaker for your event.
As we shape our activities for the year, we want to hear from you: your concerns, your experiences, and your questions. The more we know about what is going on throughout Iowa, the better we can serve you. Please be our eyes and ears! And we will be a more effective representative for you at the Capitol. We are also expanding our organization and are looking for people to fill leadership roles or just help out; let us know if you’d like to join us and what you are interested or willing to do. Our email: info@iowahealthfreedom.org
We have introduced the Iowa Access to Wellness bill once again in the Iowa Legislature. For more information: http://www.iowahealthfreedom.org
Kathryn Lappegard – President, Iowa Health Freedom Coalition
LOUISIANA
From Louisiana Health Freedom Coalition
If you live in Louisiana and would like to help, please contact Cynthia Reed, ND, President of the Louisiana Health Freedom Coalition at 225-756-8400 or herbs-etc@cox.net or visit the website: www.lhfc.info
MARYLAND
From Dr. Mishra
Maryland introduced a Health Freedom bill this year, but unfortunately it did not pass. For more information on helping in Maryland, please contact :
Dr. Lakshmi C. Mishra: 301 762 8262 - www.aapra.com, lcmishra.com
MASSACHUSETTS
From Health Freedom Massachusetts http://www.healthfreedommassachusetts.org/
The citation for the Massachusetts law regarding unlicensed practice of medicine is M.G.L. Chapter 112 and all of the included sections. Some other applicable provisions might be found in M.G.L. Chapter 221, Section 26; M.G.L. Chapter 13, Section 26; and M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 53B. Any law library has these laws. They are also in the State House Library. You can also access them by going to the site below.
http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/
MICHIGAN
http://www.mnhc.info/ or mnhcinfo@yahoo.com
MINNESOTA:
Minnesota’s Naturopathic Doctor registration law will go into effect July 1, 2009. For more information, you can contact MNACAP’s president Katie Murphy at katie@MNACAP.org.
MISSOURI
The Coalition for Natural Health was able to stop attempts made to attach amendments to bills moving through legislature last year. House Bill 750 has been introduced and relates to the practice of naturopathic medicine: http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills091/biltxt/intro/HB0750I.htm
For more information, contact Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
MONTANA
From Deborah Kimmet of Montana Health Freedom:
SB 287 died in committee in the House. Our effort for 2009 is finished. Thanks for all your help, we couldn’t have gotten as far as we did without you!
More information can be found on our website at www.montanahealthfreedom.org or contact Deb Kimmet at deb@debkimmet.com
NEVADA
SB 69 creates the Board of Complementary Integrative Medical Examiners: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/75th2009/Bills/SB/SB69.pdf
For more information contact Boyd Landry: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
NEW JERSEY
A Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensure bill (S1941 & A2933) was introduced in New Jersey in 2008 and was referred to the Senate Commerce Committee. This bill could limit nutritional advice to only those dietitian/nutritionists licensed by the state of New Jersey. You can view the bill here: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S2000/1941_I1.PDF
You may contact Boyd Landry for more information: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
NEW MEXICO
From Wynn Werner:
New Mexico UNLICENSED HEALTH CARE PRACTICE ACT, HB 664, passed both the House and Senate and is on its way up to the Governor’s office to sign by April 10th. There were many people that made this happen and thanks goes out to all. But of all the people, none deserves more thanks than our sponsor Representative Ken Martinez and the head of his staff Martha Minogue. It is because of their tireless support and knowledge of how things get done that we have been successful. We owe them a debt of thanks that can never be truly repaid.
We believe that the NM Unlicensed health Care Practice Act is the best in the nation. Once the bill is signed into law however, we all have a big job ahead of us. And that is supporting our community in the implementation of the provisions of the act. Several of us who have been involved in the bill will be working to get leaders in their respective health care disciplines to head the effort to inform and support their practitioners. Our website www.nmcaamp.org will be a place for information on the act, samples of disclosure, FAQ sections and other items that will support our CAM community. I urge you to take part in forming the future of health care in New Mexico.
For more information, contact Wynn Werner – wwerner@ayurveda.com
NEW YORK
A01370 is a naturopathic physician bill. You can contact Boyd for more information: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
NORTH CAROLINA
From North Carolina Citizens for Healthcare Freedom:
On Thursday March 26th we were given a Number for our Consumer Health Act HR842
We need your support! Please call, email or fax your NC HOUSE REP and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor to House Bill 842 They must sign before 6:30 PM Monday March 30.
If you need to know your Representative, go to www.ncleg.net and type in your zip code
Then contact your Representative… . Ask your Representative to please sign onto House Bill 842 and give a short statement why you what their support for house bill 842
You can contact the Switchboard # 919-733-4111 and ask to be transferred your Representative to give or leave your message.
We have been waiting for this bill number and we really need your help.
Now is your chance to make your voice heard.
Claiborne Holtzman, President – Citizens for Heathcare Freedom – www.ncchf.org – (252) 813-4950
OHIO
There are 2 health freedom organizations in Colorado: The Ohio Health Freedom Coalition and the Ohio Sunshine Health Freedom Coalition.
1. Ohio Health Freedom Coalition – www.ohiohealthfreedom.org
email: info@ohiohealthfreedom.org
The Ohio Health Freedom Coalition was originally formed in 2004; OHFC is a non profit organization that advocates for changing Ohio law to allow for greater access to complementary and alternative health care services. OHFC’s members believe that complementary and alternative health care options should be available to members of the public, that citizens should have the freedom to select the practitioner who delivers them and that the state should not prohibit access to natural health services.
For more information or questions regarding the Ohio Health Freedom Coalition please call:
(614) 888-7351
2. Ohio Sunshine Health Freedom Coalition – www.ohiohealthfreedom.info
To learn more, please contact Linda Murray – hertouch@juno.com
OKLAHOMA
Health Freedom Action Network: contact information: information@oklahomahealthfreedom.org Or their website: http://www.oklahomahealthfreedom.org
OREGON
Oregon Health Freedom Website: www.oregonhealthfreedom.org or
email: john@oregonhealthfreedom.org
TENNESSEE
HB 722 (http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB072 ) and
HB 723 (http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0723 ) are bills pertaining to naturopathy. For more information, please contact Boyd Landry at: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
TEXAS
Message from Texas Health Freedom: www.texashealthfreedom.com
Hello Texas Health Freedom Fighters! Many exciting and encouraging things are beginning to happen as we work toward passing HB 40. I want to thank all of you who are sending in testimonial letters, one page faxes, and personal stories on the website. Please keep them coming.
HB 40 has been assigned to the Public Health Committee as expected.
Testimonial Letters – Send any testimonial letters that you have your friends and customers fill out directly to me. My fax number is (512)454-4461. I will be sure they get to your legislator.
100,000 Health Freedom Stories – Log on to www.passhb40fortexas.org/ and share your story. We’re a long way from 100,000. Please take 5 minutes and do this today.
Health Freedom One Page Fax: Have your customers fill these out, and fax them to your representative. There is a copy available on the home page of www.texashealthfreedom.com in the Pages section.
VIRGINIA
Virginia Chapter of Certified Natural Health Professionals
HB1744 Natural Health Care Providers bill (Health Freedom Bill) has been tabled by the Health, Welfare and Institutions committee. What exactly does this mean for us? Over the last few weeks, I have been talking with Delegate Pogge and others to decide what action we can take with a tabled bill. We have decided that for the present time we should not do anything with it, not because we don’t want it passed, but the likelihood of passing it this year is slim. We just don’t have enough support.
So, here is what we need to do in preparation for next year:
-Form local constituent groups for each of the delegates and senators to educate them about the need for a Health Freedom Bill.
-Arrange for your group to meet face to face with your delegate and senator to let them know your concerns to pass a Health Freedom Bill in the 2010 legislative session and build a relationship with them over this next year. It’s an election year for delegates so helping them with their campaign could put you in a position of favor. If they know you personally they are more willing to help you out.
-Arrange a meeting with local supervisors/city council, mayor etc to educate them of the need for a Health Freedom Bill and ask them to contact the delegates and senator that serve their district.
Your local officials know these delegates and senators and have influence.
-Talk with other groups or individuals that may have an interest in our cause; Home school groups, holistic minded groups, your clients.
I am willing to help educate and train the leaders of the constituent groups so they in turn can educate and motivate their groups. I am also willing to go with you when you speak with your representatives. Our message to our officials must unify, so teamwork is a must. If
we are going to be successful we will need many leaders to reach each of the 100 delegates and 40 senators. If you are interested in being a team leader please contact me, let’s move forward together.
Sharon E. Hrichak for
Virginians for Health Freedom, a project of the Virginia Chapter of Certified Natural Health Professionals
P.O. Box 316, Chesterfield, VA 23832-0005 www.cnhpva.org
WASHINGTON STATE
There are several bills in Washington:
HB 1638 refers to Colon Hydrotherapy: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1638&year=2009
HB 2007 pertains to Naturopathic Doctors:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2004&year=2009
For information on these bills, contact Boyd Landry boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
Health Freedom: The bill was heard on the Senate floor on Friday, January 30. It has been assigned a number: Senate Bill 5755 2009-10. The best way to easily stay updated is to use the following website address: www.leg.wa.gov/legislature and use the “Bill Search” tab near the top of the page (enter 5755).
According to the website: The “short title” of our bill is “Concerning alternative health care practitioners” In reading SB5755 as it is posted on the website, Section 1 says: “This act may be known and cited as the health care choice act.”; The direct-access URL is: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5755&year=2009
After the bill was heard, it was referred to the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee. The next step for our bill is that it will have to be scheduled for a hearing before the H<C Committee. Senator Karen Kaiser is the chair of this committee. Our discussions with her have not been promising; she does not intend to hear the bill. That would kill it for this session. We need to convince her to hear the bill. What people can do-call/write their senators and members of the Senate Health Committee. Contact Kaiser requesting that she hear the bill.
For more information, go to the Washington Health Freedom website: http://healthfreedomwa.org/ or email: healthfreedom.wa@gmail.com or call 360-357-6263
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Health Freedom Coalition
WIHFC is a Wisconsin nonprofit 501(c) 4 lobbying organization for social justice supporting an exciting new Consumer Health Freedom and Access Act in Wisconsin in the 2009 to 2010 legislative session.
“Consumer Health Freedom and Access Act” will ensure consumer choice by providing a “safe harbor exemption” for those doing non-licensed healing therapies as long as they follow guidelines of the bill. It also gives the consumer freedom to choose alternative practitioners and services desired. This is an exemption bill for everyone doing no harm.
WIHFC opposes the WDA (Wisconsin Dietetic Association) licensing bill SB 115. The WDA bill would allow only licensed Dietitians trained by the ADA (American Dietetic Association) and a few other licensed professions to discuss nutrition. We see this as a freedom of speech issue. Food must remain in the public domain
Check out website http://wihfc.com where they have a lot of information. You can also contact Syncha Maniscalco, Director WIHFC, synchaa@gmail.com, 715-452-5544
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING HEALTH FREEDOM
Tags: Freedom, Health, Legislative