Landmark Michigan Law Protects Chiropractors, Patients

Michigan Chiropractic Association Praised for Legislative Efforts

For the first time in nearly a quarter-century, a stand-alone law regarding the practice of chiropractic has been passed in Michigan. On Dec. 30, 2002, former Gov. John Engler signed into law Senate Bill 1121, also known as the MCA Patient Protection Bill. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bill Bullard (R-Highland) and supported by both the Michigan Chiropractic Society (MCS) and Michigan Chiropractic Association (MCA), protects consumers by ensuring that only licensed, qualified practitioners provide chiropractic care.

"There is currently a lot of confusion in the minds of the public," explained Dr. Tim Tarry, MCA legislative chair. "The passage of this bill helps assure that only highly trained chiropractors can say they provide chiropractic adjustments."

According to an analysis of the bill on the Michigan state Web site (www.michigan.gov), SB 1121 was introduced to protect the chiropractic profession. Because of chiropractic's popularity, some massage therapists (an unlicensed profession in Michigan) and physician assistants had reportedly advertised their ability to perform chiropractic adjustments and manipulations, despite the fact that the Public Health Code prohibits such advertisements. There were also reports of veterinarians advertising chiropractic adjustments on horses and other animals. The term "chiropractic" is protected in the Public Health Code, but the term "chiropractic adjustment" is not.

The final version of SB 1121 updates three sections of the Michigan Public Health Code. A new subsection is added to Section 16261 that prohibits an individual from promoting himself or herself as being able to perform chiropractic services unless that person is a licensed doctor of chiropractic.

Section 16401, which creates the scope of practice for chiropractic, is amended by inserting the word "chiropractic" before the term "adjustment." Previously, certain adjustments were included in the chiropractor's scope of practice. While osteopaths also perform adjustments, the amended version helps clarify the scope of chiropractic in Michigan.

Finally, Section 16411 is amended in several ways. Current Michigan law prohibits a person from engaging in the practice of chiropractic unless he or she is licensed or otherwise authorized. SB 1121 clarifies such prohibitions by inserting scope-of-practice language directly into the law books. Other provisions added to Section 16411 help avoid scope-of-practice conflicts for veterinarians and osteopaths, and clear up any misinterpretations of the law as they relate to other health professions.

http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/21/06/08.html