A MAJOR VICTORY FOR CHOICE:
NEW YORK STATE PASSES
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PRACTICE ACT

From The Cancer Chronicles #23
© Sept. 1994 by Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D.

On July 2, at 11:30 pm, the historic Alternative Medical Practice Act was passed by the NYS legislature, at the end of a tumultuous session. Several weeks later, Governor Cuomo signed the bill into law. The votes in the Senate and Assembly were virtually unanimous. The bill will protect unconventional doctors from prosecution and beneÞt patients in search of medical freedom of choice. The main provisions are:

  • It recognizes the role of legitimate non-conventional medical treatments.
  • It places two non-conventional physicians on the state Board of Medical Conduct.
  • It promotes greater participation by these unconventional physicians in handling misconduct cases involving clinical practice.
  • It directs a panel to study whether specialists should be consulted in investigations of professional medical conduct.

    The passage of this landmark New York State bill was a tremendous victory for the alternative health movement. Credit goes to a broad coalition of forces that has come together over the last Þve years and that turned out in force for the hearings in Albany last Dec. 14 [C.C. #19]. Particular credit goes to the Foundation for the Advancement of Innovative Medicine (FAIM) and its dynamic lobbyist, Monica Miller. They overcame opposition from the New York State health department.

    New York is now the Þfth state since 1990 to enact such legislation, following the lead of Alaska, Washington, North Carolina and Oklahoma. This Albany victory may stimulate similar efforts in many other states, including a key state, California, which currently has stringent anti-alternative medicine laws on the books.

    ###

    Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D. is the author of eight books and three documentaries on cancer-related topics. He is an advisor on alternative cancer treatments to the National Institutes of Health, Columbia University, and the University of Texas. He researches and writes individualized "Healing Choices" reports for people with cancer. For information on Healing Choices, you can send us an instant message or contact:
    Coordinator Anne Beattie
    @ 144 St. John's Place,
    Brooklyn, NY 11217
    Phone 718-636-4433
    Fax 718-636-0186
    E-mail: mail@ralphmoss.com
    Web site:     http://www.ralphmoss.com


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