January 2003

Michigan Governor sets a precedent for patient protection

Michigan residents are now protected by a new law that aims to clear up widespread confusion concerning who is trained to provide chiropractic care.

The legislation clarifies the Michigan Public Health code by stating:

An individual shall not announce or hold himself or herself out to the public as being able to perform a chiropractic adjustment, chiropractic manipulation, or other chiropractic services or chiropractic opinion, unless the individual is a chiropractor licensed under this article.

An individual shall not engage in the practice of chiropractic, including, but not limited to, performing a chiropractic adjustment, chiropractic manipulation, or other chiropractic services or chiropractic opinion, unless licensed or otherwise authorized by a chiropractor under this article.

Michigan Public Act 734, commonly known as the Turf Bill, was recently signed into law by Governor John Engler. This bill was introduced in early 2002 by Senator Bill Bullard and had the active backing of the Michigan Chiropractic Society (MCS) and the Michigan Chiropractic Association (MCA).

The aim of this legislation is to stop physical therapists, massage therapists and others from claiming they perform chiropractic services. The bill does not affect the unlimited scope of practice of medical doctors and osteopaths.

According to MCS Executive Director Kristine L. Dowell, MCS President Jim Sommers, DC, added language to the bill restricting who may offer a chiropractic opinion.

“This piece of legislation benefits the entire chiropractic profession,” said MCA Legislative Chairman Tim Tarry, DC. “The passage of this bill helps assure that only highly trained chiropractors can say they provide chiropractic adjustments.”

During the course of the legislative process, MCS Lobbyist Tim Ward, and MCA Lobbyist Del Chenault met and resolved concerns with interest groups as diverse as Michigan Veterinarian Association, the Michigan Physical Therapists Association and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Sources: Michigan Chiropractic Society (www.chiromi.com); Michigan Chiropractic Association (www.michiganchiropractic.org)

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