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A
Reader Responds: Alternative
Practitioners By
Peggy J. Simms, L.C.S.W. When
I read Marge Roberts'
article entitled “Georgia
Alternative Practitioners
to be Placed Under the Medical
Board” in the May issue
of Aquarius ( Click
here), I knew it was time
to respond! Ms. Roberts certainly
effectively sounded the alarm
bell for me when she described
joint discussions between
the Medical Association of
Georgia (MAG) and the Complementary/
Alternative Medicine Association
(CAMA) representatives that
occurred during the 2001 Georgia
legislative session. First
of all, I was aroused to discomfort
at the description of the
location of placement; i.e.
“under” the Medical
Board. Because I choose to
be aware of power dynamics,
I already perceived a hierarchical
arrangement, indicative of
one organization having “power
over” another instead
of “power with”
another. I believe each must
stand independent, fully empowered
without the interference or
control of the other entity,
giving the public a full range
of choices. When
I read that MAG would brook
no other options except placing
alternative practitioners
within the direct control
of the Medical Board I was
horrified! Why indeed would
MAG assume it is the appropriate
entity to direct the efforts
of complementary practitioners?
Does this opinion imply that
allopathic medicine considers
itself the only correct standard
bearer for all forms of healing?
Does this suggestion seek
to continue the myth that
allopathic medicine is far
superior to all other forms
of healing? Is the traditional
allopathic medical lobby so
powerful that this is an inescapable
option for alternative practitioners?
If so, then perhaps the appropriate
target of investigation and
control is the allopathic
medicine lobby. If not, then
legislators' interests
would continue to be well-served
by the efforts of alternative
practitioners to educate and
inform them of the necessity
of providing the public with
free choice to either an allopathic
or a complementary healer. I
speak as both a traditional
and non-traditional practitioner.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social
Worker and a registered Aura-Soma
practitioner. Only when I
stand supported by my government
and by its citizenry in my
choice to practice freely
in my chosen fields am I free
to exercise the rights given
me as an American citizen.
When my freedom to practice
is limited to rules set by
governing boards that have
their own separate, and perhaps
competing interests, to protect,
not only is my freedom limited,
but also is the public's
right to choose from the best
of what is universally available. Medicine
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