MN Freedom of Access Act.. Boston Bound... John F Kennedy said,

[Guest guest]

There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than

the long-range risks and costs of inaction.

-- John F. Kennedy

 

PLEASE FORWARD:

 

From the desk of Robert Flammia Editor/Publisher The Rub, a newsletter by

and for those giving or receiving the benefits of massage or other somatic

practices.

 

I believe it fitting to quote JFK on the 37th anniversary of his

assassination.

 

If you are in favor of licensing massage or favor the NCE, to avoid angst,

delete this message now. But before you go, please read at least the first

part, written by a massage school owner She titled it 'The Myths of

Licensing' . This mailer is an attempt to raise consciousness in those that

may favor licensing who are in unlicensed states , for those who are in

licensed states that are discontent and a request for financial help to

support a booth at the League of Cities Conference in Boston. First... 'The

Myths of Licensing' by Ramona Moody

 

" You're right about massage therapists who don't really understand the issues

in licensing. In years of teaching massage classes, I've noticed the myths

they believe:

 

1. Licensing will make us " respectable. " (The most important kind of

respect is self-respect, which evidently we as a group don't have.)

2. If we have state licensing, we can bill insurance.

(Not necessarily.)

3. Insurance billing will guarantee income.

(Ask doctors and chiropractors what insurance companies have done to

their

income.)

4. Higher requirements will keep out the prostitutes.

(When the 1000 hour exemption was passed in San Diego, all the parlor

owners sent their employees to school to get 1000 hours of training. Or,

they bought certificates from the couple of schools in California that sell

certificates without requiring attendance in classes.)

5. If we have state licensing we won't have to go through the cities any

more.

(The truth is, if we have state licensing we just add a layer of

bureaucracy. We would still have to go to the cities for local licensing,

the same as any other profession.)

 

Also, many don't understand that when you lobby to get a law passed, the

proposed law is put out on the floor so that anyone and everyone can comment

and suggest changes. The law you propose is never going to be the law you

get passed in the end. All groups will have their own agenda to protect and

will want to make changes in your proposal that suit their own agendas.

Without understanding the needs and concerns of all involved, you'll never

get any kind of consensus and agreement on a beneficial law. "

 

We have heard the stories of what has happened in states that got what was

asked for. The Chiropractic Board governs massage in MD. Other boards not

related to massage govern in other states. The ante goes up without any of

the workers having any say in it. State boards grab power from those not

wanting to be associated with massage. Out of hand boards. It will only get

worse.

 

 

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Now, a synopsis of the Freedom For Healthcare Access Act signed into law in

Minnesota, in May, 2000.

 

Are you aware that, in May, the most enlightened piece of legislation,

related to healthcare in this country, was signed into law in Minnesota?

The bill is entitled, Freedom of Healthcare Access Bill. The following is a

very brief synopsis of what the bill wanted to address and what the bill

accomplished:

 

1. Non-medical health care practitioners of all kinds for decades have been

vulnerable to charges of practice of medicine without a license.

 

2. Licensed health care professionals are vulnerable to being disciplined

and losing their license for practicing holistic care outside of the scope of

their conventional standards.

 

3. In our country we expect to be able to practice our professions and

trades without interference. The medical laws have changed that for the

healing professions. Licensure requires the legislature to give the

authority of the police power of the state to a particular group. This

creates some bizarre dialogues in the natural health community and does not

work for care and practices that have for centuries been part of the public

domain.

 

4. The Minnesota Model is based on beliefs that:

 

There are many different types of healers and trades and arts. Practices

should remain in the public domain.

 

Consumers have a right to truthful information.

 

Consumers have the right to be treated with integrity, honesty, safety, and

truthfullness by practitioners.

 

Government should balance its' ability to protect the public and the

consumers right of access.

 

5. The Minnesota Model is based on the client healer relationship. It

mandates that all unlicensed practitioners can practice as long as:

 

1. No surgery, radiation, prescription drugs, puncture of the skin etc etc

etc.

 

2. They follow specific ethical guidelines.

 

3. They provide the client with proper disclosure.

 

The bill sets up an office " Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health

Care " in the Department of Health to take complaints from the public and

provide discipline when necessary.

 

How bad can a bill like this be?

 

The gist of this law will be carried to Boston to present at the League of

Cities Conference in order to show local governments an alternative to

restrictive ordinances which prevent healers outside of medicine to practice.

This bill was written with the consumer in mind.

 

Why the League of Cities Conference? Because the AMTA and the NCE are going

to be there. They are the only folk at the conference representing anything

related to our trade or, for that matter, healthcare. They are spending a

lot of money to plant seeds which lead to how we, as workers, are governed in

cities. They do work both ends against the middle, at the state level with

paid lobbyists and at local levels with model ordinances and taking action at

the League of Cities.

 

You can help keep our freedom to practice as we please, by sending a non

deductible donation too

 

MN Natural Health Legal Reform Project

3236 17th Ave So #1

MPLS MN 55407

 

Please mark it Boston Action. If you prefer to remain anonymous, write me.

 

In getting involved with this movement, I have been told the important thing

to remember is to think outside of the box. Where did that concept come

from? I am looking at the big picture of which massage, and the field of

somatics, are but one small piece. There are many other folk out there

wanting to do their own thing without the yoke of unnecessary governance.

The MN Act is a true practitioner/client oriented piece of work. Please

think outside the box and support our efforts

 

If you want off this rub mailer ask

 

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Robert