Take action! Health freedom in North Carolina?

Presently there is a health freedom movement sweeping the country. Four states have passed health freedom legislation (MN, CA, RI, ID). More than eight other states have introduced bills, with others in the process. Now we can add NC to the list. Your access to complementary and alternative health care is restricted & soon to be completely denied. It is now an urgent matter for NC citizens to decide if they want the freedom to choose their health care. These are a few of the many reasons why NC needs Health Freedom Legislation.

On April 8, 2003, Citizens for Healthcare Freedom (CHF) introduced a health freedom bill for NC Rep. Paul Luebke of Durham sponsored House Bill 923, which is entitled iAn Amendment to exempt the practices of complementary and alternative forms of health care from the practice of medicinei. If this bill becomes law in NC, it will protect alternative health practitioners from being charged with the eunlicensed practice of medicine', as long as they disclose their training and qualifications and disclose that they are not licensed medical doctors. This is a consumer rights, consumer access and consumer protection bill. It does not set up regulatory agencies of professional practice standards, but it does ensure access for the consumer, as well as allowing these health professionals to freely practice their trades. HB 923 is a nonpartisan issue and requires no fiscal study of appropriations from the state. This bill will not fix all the current problems, but it is a step in the right direction. Presently the bill is being rewritten, as we received legal assistance from Diane Miller, JD, considered to be the leader of the national health freedom movement. It is urgent that NC citizens contact their local state Representatives and request support for HB 923. Contact your own state Rep., as well as those on the House Health Committee.

The Medical Board in NC periodically targets alternative medicine practitioners and health food stores, charging them with epracticing medicine without a license', which is a misdemeanor. The targeted professionals are as diverse as herbalists, naturopaths, ayurveda, homeopaths, midwives, spiritual healers, store & lab owners, etc. Recently the state medical board has stepped up this campaign, investigating CAM (complementary & alternative medicine) practitioners, diagnostic labs, and even MDs who practice alternative forms of medicine.

On 2/24/03 there was a bill introduced to the Senate (SB144), proposing to change the iunauthorized practice of medicinei from a misdemeanor to a felony. Many state citizens interpret this as an attempt to arrest and criminalize alternative medicine practitioners. This was previously tried in June 2000 (HB 1049). However, there was such public outcry and opposition that the bill was withdrawn, with the suggestion to set up a study committee on alternative practices. This did not occur. It is now imperative that NC citizens barrage their senators with phone calls, letters & emails. Voice your opposition to this Senate Bill 144. You can contact the sponsoring senators, the Judiciary 1 committee senators, as well as your local senator.

To contact state legislators, see the General Assembly website (www.ncleg.com) or the CHF website--http://www.citizensforhealthcarefreedom.org (check it often for frequent additions & updates). When contacting legislators, personal contacts are best. However, if you send email, be sure to write HB 923 in the subject.

Julie Insley, CCH, RSHom(NA), is a Certified Classical Homeopath. She is a board member of CHF (Citizens for Healthcare Freedom), dedicated to health improvement and networking with communities for holistic health care and social evolution. Contact her at [e-mail] and the CHF at [e-mail]