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Iowa Health Freedom Coalition
Posted online: Thu Feb 5 01:12:14 CST 2004
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Consumer Health Freedom Act worth considering
Summary
A bill under consideration in the Legislature would protect the consumer and practitioner in the field of
alternative health care.
State Rep. Linda Upmeyer’s passion for health care is no surprise considering her career as a licensed
nurse practitioner.
In fact, it was one of the issues the Garner Republican stressed in running for the House in 2002.
So it is also no surprise that she is taking keen interest in a measure called the Consumer Health Freedom
Act, crafted to protect a consumer’s access to complementary and alternative health care by protecting
unlicensed practitioners of such care from criminal prosecution.
Upmeyer discussed the measure, introduced in the House and Senate, with constituents last week in
Hampton, saying highly paid lobbyists are opposing the issue, and adding that she’s not certain they
understand it.
The care in question includes prayer and spiritual healing, dance and art therapies, yoga, tai chi, vitamins
and herbs, and a variety of others, many well-known and widely practiced, others not so well-known.
Five states have adopted similar legislation; it has been introduced in eight others.
There are five major points in the proposal:
Unlicensed practitioners who comply with regulations would be able to diagnose and treat according to their
expertise and training.
Practitioners would not be able to perform surgery or any procedure that harmfully invades the skin.
They could not prescribe or administer X-ray radiation, drugs or controlled substances.
They would have to disclose in writing that they are not a licensed health-care provider.
And they would have to disclose their credentials and qualifications.
All seem to be reasonable points, provided a balance is maintained between protecting consumers from
quacks and allowing legitimate alternate therapists room to practice their craft. The consumer would benefit
with thorough knowledge of the practice and practitioner, while the practitioner would be able to offer his
specialty as long as he follows the rules.
As it is now, one health professional said Friday, there is no attempt to practice medicine, but the law defines
medicine “so broadly, it makes us vulnerable for legal issues.”
The Consumer Health Freedom Act seems a suitable measure for Iowans, certainly one that deserves
further exploration in the Legislature.
After all, as Upmeyer noted, many people get referrals from their doctors to see these alternative health
professionals.
Lawmakers should see to it that the state has a system that will ensure protection for consumers and
practitioners, and this measure seems to be a reasonable place to start.
Copyright 2003, Globe Gazette
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