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Top Stories 27th
Annual Convention (7/25/08)
Convention
Lecture Legislation Journal
of the American Naturopathic Medical Association (JANMA) Facts |
Dan Walter: Naturopathic Bill Moves With Push From Movie Tycoon
By: Dan Walters -- Bee Columnist For decades, members of specialized occupational groups have sought state-enforced professional licensure through the Legislature, thus gaining public status and official control over would-be competitors for customers. For decades, practitioners of various medical care specialties have sought legislation to either expand the legal scopes of their practices (such as podiatrists seeking to perform ankle surgery or psychologists wanting the power to prescribe drugs), or restrict those of competitors. SB 907, carried by the Legislature's most influential member, Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, encompasses both of those hoary political traditions. But it also represents another increasingly common trend: dabbling by Hollywood celebrities in pursuit of their pet political and social causes -- such as Arnold Schwarzenegger's after-school care initiative (which may also set him up to run for governor) or Rob Reiner's measure that raises cigarette taxes for health care expansion. SB 907's celebrity champion is Stephen Bing, who inherited a $600 million real estate fortune at age 18 and over the past two decades has busily written screenplays, produced movies, contributed millions of dollars to Democratic politicians, underwritten environmental causes and wooed some of filmdom's most beautiful women. His tabloid index rose stratospherically last year when actress Elizabeth Hurley named him as the father of her son, he disputed his paternal role, and a DNA test confirmed that he was, indeed, Damian's daddy. One would think that with movies, politics and a jet-setting love life, Bing would have enough on his plate. But he's also an ardent advocate of what's called "naturopathic medicine," an alternative form of health care that relies on herbs, massage, magnets and other treatments. And he's playing a role -- although how large is unclear -- in promoting SB 907. The measure would license "naturopathic doctors" in California and empower them to perform a variety of medical functions, including attending childbirths. The California Association of Naturopathic Physicians and Bastyr University, a Washington-based institution that is, in the words of its spokesman, "the largest accredited school in naturopathic medicine," have retained Advocation Inc., one of the Capitol's best-connected lobbying firms, to push SB 907 through the Legislature and onto Gov. Gray Davis' desk. The bill has already cleared the Senate. Not surprisingly, SB 907 has drawn opposition from groups representing traditional medicine, such as the California Medical Association. Mainstream physicians are leery about the efficacy of naturopathy but also dislike others using the title of "doctor." Chiropractors, meanwhile, don't want naturopaths intruding on their specialty of "manipulation" of body parts. The strongest opposition, however, is coming from other adherents of naturopathy who oppose having physician status or performing some of the functions allowed in the Burton bill. Even more oddly, Burton carried legislation just last year that gave legal recognition to naturopathy but stopped short of the scope of practice in his new bill. "They (the naturopathic opponents) see themselves as the true believers of naturopathic medicine," says Sandy Cutler, Bastyr's senior counsel. If Burton's measure reaches Davis, a gubernatorial signature is highly likely, since Bing is a major supporter. He has not only given Davis hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past few years, but has also contributed millions to the Democratic Party and just recently popped $100,000 into the war chest being raised to defend Davis against a recall. Burton describes Bing as "a good guy" for his support of various causes -- contributions that have included $1 million to Bastyr. "Stephen is a supporter of Bastyr and a believer in natural medicine," Cutler says. "We're glad to have his support." While Burton and Cutler minimize Bing's role in SB 907, those involved with the bill in the Capitol say that it has been given a fast track because of Burton's authority and Bing's involvement, while opponents are trying to make as little noise as possible for fear of angering the volatile Senate leader. And, as with all medical turf battles, whether SB 907 lives or dies has everything to do with politics and nothing to do with whether it enhances or imperils the health of Californians. About the Writer |
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