Small News/Politics Graphic Capitol Hill Luncheon Features Alternative Medicine and Its Supporters
by Michael S. Evers
From Natural Healthline

Actress Kelly LeBrock delivered an emotional plea in support of alternative medicine when she spoke to a small gathering on Capitol Hill hosted by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), chief sponsor of the Access to Medical Treatment Act (H.R.746) and the National Center for Integral Medicine Establishment Act (H.R.1055). Four of DeFazio's House colleagues attended the luncheon: Democrats Jim McDermott (WA) and Marcy Kaptur (OH) and Republicans Joel Hefley (CO) and Mark Foley (FL). More than 30 congressional aides also attended.

DeFazio said he supports access to alternative therapies so long as they are provided by licensed practitioners operating within the scope of practice as defined by their respective states. And he said the Office of Alternative Medicine needs to be upgraded to a Center or Institute so it can initiate grants to research alternative therapies and not have to depend on support from other Centers within the National Institutes of Health.

LeBrock told the gathering about her experiences with homeopathy and acupuncture raising three children, while balancing her career as an actress and model. Michael Jansen, MD, president of the American Preventive Medical Association, who helped DeFazio sponsor the luncheon, said he practiced nutritional medicine in an atmosphere of increasing concern about investigations from medical boards who consider much of what he provides his patients "questionable." He urged Congress to pass the Access and Center bills to ensure patients true "freedom of choice."

In addition to the House Members and aides, former Maryland Congressman Tom McMillen also attended the health freedom luncheon to express his support for expanded access to therapeutic alternatives. McMillen is chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and President of Complete Wellness Centers. (see NHL 01.15.97; 02.01.97)

Grand Master Jhoon Rhee, founder of American Tae Kwon Do, and martial arts instructor for Members of Congress, dropped by to lend his support to the cause.

Before and after the luncheon, I made the rounds on the Senate side with my colleague Bill Chatfield, a former Reagan Administration official and government relations consultant. We met with senior aides to Republican Senators Jim Jeffords (VT), Phil Gramm (TX) and Connie Mack (FL) to enlist their support for the Center bill, which has not yet been introduced in the Senate. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), longtime supporter of alternative medicine and champion of the OAM, is reportedly drafting such legislation.

Supporters of these bills are encouraged to contact their elected officials and urge them to work toward their passage immediately. Sen. Tom Daschle (D-ND) has introduced a companion access bill in the Senate (S.578). The NIH is up for reauthorization this year, something that happens only once every five years. Additionally, several Senators have expressed interest in doubling NIH's budget over the next five years, from $13 billion to $26 billion. Accordingly, chances are quite good that the Center bill could be attached to the Reauthorization bill and pass sometime this summer.

For more information, see:

Cover story on Kelly LeBrock in Alternative Medicine magazine

Access to Medical Treatment Act (H.R.746/S.578)

National Center for Integral Medicine Establishment Act (H.R.1055)


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