Resource Centers:(News, information, and tools to support your practice)
November 2007
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N.J. DCs closer to new scope-of-practice law
Chiropractors in the state of New Jersey are one step closer to regaining their right to adjust extremities. Assembly bill A-3122, known as the “Scope of Practice” bill, was unanimously voted out of the Regulated Professions Committee and will be moving onto the Assembly floor for a vote, according to Sigmund Miller, DC, executive director of the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC).
The bill, if passed and signed into law, would allow chiropractors in New Jersey to perform any method of treatment or diagnosis that was taught in chiropractic college or approved postgraduate courses. The bill specifically excludes the use of surgery (requiring cutting) or the prescription of drugs or medicines, except food supplements, vitamins, and homeopathic remedies.
According to Miller, once the bill comes out of committee (around mid December), it will go to the Assembly floor for vote. It will then go to the Senate committee for the same type of process.
Miller anticipates a final resolution on the bill will be in late December 2007 or early January 2008.
He attributes committee support for the bill to the backing of chiropractors and their patients throughout the state. “Literally thousands of chiropractors and patients called legislators’ offices and respectfully requested passage. We know this was the case because many of their offices, staff, and others told us,” he said.
The bill
• Methods. Chiropractors can use any methods except surgery or drugs that were taught in school or in approved courses.
• Tests. They may order or prescribe generally recognized medical tests for diagnosis or analysis.
• Dietary or nutritional counseling. DCs can prescribe and dispense all types of dietary supplementation.
• Overall healthcare. They can supervise, coordinate, prescribe or provide for complete healthcare, concurrent with their training.
• Impairment certification. DCs can sign or certify temporary or permanent impairments.
“This scope will be gold standard for other state associations to view and consider,” said Miller, who attributed success at this stage of passage to ANJC members Drs. Steve Clarke and Richard Fellows.
The bill is not without opponents. According to an article published in the Courier-Post, a New Jersey newspaper, some of the established medical community were objecting to the bill, claiming it would create “quasi-doctors.” (The article is available at www.ChiroEco.com/courierpost.)
Additionally, a member of a chiropractic association that did not join the ANJC when it was established expressed his concern about the bill. In the news story, Robert Berkowitz, DC, said the bill was dangerous because it did not identify boundaries except for drugs and surgeries.
Sources: New Jersey Assembly Bill 3122; Association of New Jersey Chiropractors, www.anjc.info; Courier-Post, www.courierpostonline.com
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