THE PUBLIC MIND: LEGISLATION WOULD TURN BACK THE CLOCK ON HEALTH CARE

To the Editor:

Wake up Missouri! Your access to health care is in jeopardy.

House Bill No. 124 and Senate Bill 178 has been proposed to define the practice of medicine. The purpose of these bills are supposed to be for the protection of the citizens of Missouri, but if passed these bills will gravely affect the access to health care for all citizens.

House Bill 124 defines the practice of medicine as follows "practice of medicine means diagnosing, treating, operating, prescribing, advising, recommending or dispensing for any human disease, pain, injury, deformity, physical or mental condition or the prevention thereof for compensation or not." Anyone other than a registered physician in the state of Missouri who performs any of these acts would then be guilty of a felony.

These bills reach farther than they first appear and would severely restrict the practice of health care for everyone. Access to health care would be limited to those registered physicians.

Would administering CPR become a felony? Would placing a band aid on a skinned knee? Would a mother's kiss to ease a child's pain be a felony?

Missouri's health care delivery system would be put back 30-50 years if these pass. We would have to close all hospitals, health departments, clinics, ambulance services, pharmacies, school health nurses, and the list goes on and on.

The number of health care professionals and health education organizations affected is limitless.

Dietitians, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, anesthetists, counselors, home health nurses, all hospital nurses, community health nurses, emergency medical technicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, etc., would be affected.

What about the prevention programs of the American Heart Association, American Cancer Association, American Lung Association, March of Dimes, Easter Seals? The list goes on and on.

Imagine Missouri if only registered physicians could advise or recommend solutions for its citizens well being. What is the real point of this issue?

Kathy Blevins

Chaffee