You use alternative health modalities. You have friends that use it. You like the way you feel. You enjoy your relationship with your practitioner. You are not alone. According to the National Center Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM);
*In the United States, 36% of adults are using some form of CAM. When megavitamin therapy and prayer specifically for health reasons are included in the definition of CAM, that number rises to 62%
*CAM use spans people of all backgrounds. But, according to the survey, some people are more likely than others to use CAM. Overall, CAM use is greater by:
Women than men
People with higher educational levels
People who have been hospitalized in the past year
Former smokers, compared with current smokers or those who have never smoked.
*[A] survey asked people to select from five reasons to describe why they used CAM. Results were as follows (people could select more than one reason):
CAM would improve health when used in combination with conventional medical treatments: 55%
CAM would be interesting to try: 50%
Conventional medical treatments would not help: 28%
A conventional medical professional suggested trying CAM: 26%
Conventional medical treatments are too expensive: 13%
Like many who turn to alternative health you may be using it in combination with traditional medicine. You may have tried traditional medicine for a certain condition with either no result or with bad side effects. You have researched your choices and have made an educated determination of what is best for you. You like the way you feel, you feel your choices are safe and effective.
Do not take your health care choices for granted. The way current Connecticut law reads your health care choices can be limited and your favorite healers locked away for practicing medicine without a license. You make think that nothing could happen to you or your practitioner.
Sec. 20-9. Who may practice medicine or surgery. (a) No person shall, for compensation, gain or reward, received or expected, diagnose, treat, operate for or prescribe for any injury, deformity, ailment or disease, actual or imaginary, of another person, nor practice surgery, until he has obtained such a license as provided in section 20-10, and then only in the kind or branch of practice stated in such license.
The law can be interpreted in very broad terms to encompass most alternative health modalities.
State governments do have an obligation and power to protect the public. They pass laws that regulate and oversee professions and trades that could have an element of harm and risk to the public. Modern medicine and surgery certainly does contain risk and licensure is needed to assure that practitioners are trained and qualified to minimize such risks. The high element of risk seen in modern medicine and surgery is applied to all healing modalities. Although there may be some risk with certain therapies consumers have adequate resources for assessing their risks and making educated decisions. It is difficult for many in state government to understand that alternative therapies can be relatively safe and effective.
Some state governments have claimed that medical licensing laws protect the public from quacks and charlatans. Inherent in this belief is that the public can not make a determination for themselves as to what is safe, effective and beneficial. If you see an herbalist, an energy healer or a homeopath you know that the risk of harm is negligible.
Broad definitions and licenses protect the medical profession from competition from alternative modalities by claiming that any type of healing is medicine and falls under state medical laws. State departments can act against an alternative healthcare provider when there has been no harm done and no complaint filed by a client.
The result is that you the consumer may not have access to the alternative healthcare you want. Your right to choose your method of healthcare is limited because the state government can not understand that alternative health therapies have negligible risk, they do not think that you are smart enough to make your own decisions or they are limiting competition at the behest of the regular medical profession. Regardless of the reason, your choices of health care has been made for you. Your education, freedom of choice or your health have not been a factor.
Ask yourself "Who should choose for you?" If you think you should choose please join us so that we can establish health freedom in Connecticut.
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The information contained on this site is general in nature and is intended for use as an informational aid. This information is not intended as medical advice or diagnosis for individual health problems or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of using a particular product. You should consult your doctor about diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), nor has the FDA approved the products to diagnose, cure or prevent disease. Connecticut Health Freedom Coalition, Inc. shall not be held responsible for content herein. Copyright 2006, 2007 Connecticut Health Freedom Coalition, Inc.. All rights reserved.
