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Performance audit, Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners, 1985
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 | [...]Dr. Harvey B i gel sen, P r e s i d e n t Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners Transmitted herewith i s a r e p o r t of t h e Auditor General, A Performance Audit of the Board o f Homeopathic Medical Examiners. This r e p o r t i s i n response t o an[...]i s l a t i v e Oversight Committee. The performance a u d i t was conducted a s a p a r t of the[...]A.R.S. §§41-2351 through 41-2379. This performance a u d i t r e p o r t i s submitted t o t h e Ari[...]e i n determining whether t o c o n t i n u e the Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners beyond i t s schedul ed t e r m i n a t i o n d a[...]pendent r e g u l a t i o n o f Arizona's homeopathic physicians and the impact of the Board on medical r e g u l a t i o n within t h e S t a t e . The r e p o r t recommends t e r m i n a t i n g the Board and r e g u l a t i n g homeopathic medical p r a c t i c e s through the Board of Medical Examiners and t h e Board of Osteopathic Examiners i n Medicine and Surgery. My s t a[...] |
| [...]The Office of the Auditor General has conducted a performance audit of the Arizona Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners i n response t o an April 27, 1983, resol ution of the J o i n t Legislative Oversight Committee. This performance audit was conducted as part of the Sunset Review[...]ms as attempts by the body t o heal i t s e l f . Homeopathic remedies given in minute doses are used t o stimu[...]efensive and curative processes. In Arizona, the Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners was organized i n 1981. I t consists of five memb[...]safety and we1 fare by 1icensi ng and regulating homeopathic physicians. Before the Homeopathic Board was establ i shed, homeopaths were regulated by the Board of Medical Examiners (BOMEX) or the Board of Osteopathic Examiners i n Medicine and Surgery (OBEX) , depending on t h e i r medical training. To become a licensed homeopathic physician i n Arizona, one must be licensed i n any s t a t e a s a medical doctor or an osteopathic physician, and exhibit k[...]n. The statutory definition of homeopathy a1 1ows homeopathic physicians a broad scope of practice. In addition to using homeopathic treatments, they may prescribe a1 1opathic drugs[...]The Legislature should consider terminating the Homeopathic Board because i t weakens medical regulation and i s not needed. Legislation[...] |
| the Board gives homeopathic physicians a broad scope of practice. Because homeopathic physicians may engage i n medical a c t i v i t i e s t h a t were p r e v i o u s[...]and OBEX i s reduced, and Arizona's standards of medical p r a c t i c e may be weakened. I n a[...]inue p r a c t i c i n g medicine under t h e i r homeopathic 1icenses f o l l o w i n g t h e l o s s o r surrender of t h e i r medical l i c e n s e s based on d i s c i p l i n a r y a c t i o n s b y BOMEX. Although proponents of t h e Homeopathic Board c i t e antagonism w i t h i n t h e medical community as t h e reason t h e Homeopathic Board was created, a review o f cases i n v o l v i n g homeopathic physicians w i t h BOMEX and OBEX does n o t i n d i c a t e t h a t an independent board i s warranted. BOMEX and OBEX could regulate homeopathic physicians more effectively than the Homeopathic Board i f t h e two boards would i n i t i a t e peer r[...]e c t i o n f o r t h e p u b l i c t h a t t h e Homeopathic Board cannot finance. Should t h e Homeopathic Board n o t be terminated on J u l y 1, 1986, changes a r e needed i n t h e scope o f homeopathic p r a c t i c e and Board funding. The Homeopathic Board should o n l y be a1 lowed t o sanction medical p r a c t i c e s r e l a t e d t o t h e commonly accepted scope o f homeopathic p r a c t i c e . In a d d i t i o n , Board fees should be r a i s e d o r General Fun[...] |
| [...]7 FINDING I: THE HOMEOPATHIC BOARD SHOULD BE TERMINATED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 The Board Was Created Because O f Alleged Antagonism W i t h i n The Medical Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 The Scope O f P r a c t i c e Allowed For Homeopathic Physicians Weakens A r i z o n a ' s Medical Regulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[...]nd OBEX Could E f f e c t i v e l y Regulate Homeopathic Physicians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 I f The Homeopathic Board I s Continued, Changes Are Needed. . . . .[...]LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1 - Board O f Homeopathic Medical Examiners Licensing A c t i v i t y Summary[...]1 983-84. ............ 3 TABLE 2 - Board O f Homeopathic Medical Examiners Revenues And Expenditures[...] |
| [...]e o f t h e A u d i t o r General has conducted a performance a u d i t o f the Arizona Board o f Homeopathic Medical Examiners i n response t o an A p r i l 27, 1983, r e s o l[...]t L e g i s l a t i v e Oversight Committee. This performance a u d i t was conducted as p a r t o f t h e Suns[...]assed l e g i s l a t i o n c r e a t i n g t h e Homeopathic Board i n 1980. The Board was organized i n 1981. Before t h e Board was establ ished, physicians p r a c t i c i n g homeopathy were under t h e j u r i s d i c t i on of t h e Board o f Medical Examiners (BOMEX) o r t h e Board o f Osteopathic Examiners i n Medicine and Surgery (OBEX), depending on t h e i r medical training. However, a1 leged[...]the traditional , a1 1opathic medical community and those d e s i r i n g t o o f f e r a1 t e r n a t i v e medical treatments such as homeopathy,[...]t e d i n 1egis1 a t i o n c r e a t i n g t h e Board. Arizona i s one o f o n l y t h r e e s t a t e s t h a t r e g u l a t e homeopathic physicians through an independent board. Homeopathy: D e f i n i t i o n and Bac[...]f h o l i s t i c medicine. Homeopathic physicians t r e a t t h e body as an i n t e g r[...]y t o heal it s e l f. Therefore, homeopathic drugs administered i n microdosages s t i[...] |
| The homeopathic movement grew s t e a d i l y i n t h e U n i t e[...]e accounted f o r about 15,000 o f t h e 100,000 medical doctors (M.D. ) i n t h e country. During t h e[...]nnecticut and Nevada license homeopathic physicians and r e g u l a t e them through an independent board. All t h r e e boards r e[...]be graduates of osteopathic or medical colleges.* Connecticut r e q u i r e s a[...]n t h e p r a c t i c e o f homeopathy. Arizona Homeopathic Board A c t i v i t i e s A.R.S. §§32-2902 and 3[...]oard's composition, powers and duties. The Board c o n s i s t s o f f i v e members, i n[...]ar terms. The d u t i e s o f t h e Board i n c l u d e e v a l u a t i n g a p p l i c a t[...]omplaints a g a i n s t 1 icensed homeopaths. The Board may a l s o enact r u l e s and r e g u l a t i o n s . Table 1 summarizes Board 1 i c e n s i n g a c t i v i t i e s f o r f i s[...]83-84. * There a r e c u r r e n t l y no homeopathic c o l l e g e s i n t h i s country. |
| [...]TABLE 1 BOARD OF HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL EXAMINERS LICENSING ACTIVIT[...]ranted New 1 icenses Renewal s Source: Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners' budget requests f o r f i s c a l years 1985-86, and Board 1 i c e n s i n g f i l e s and accounting records. The Board a l s o hears and resolves complaints. Board f i l e s i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e Board has received o n l y f i v e formal complaints since 1982. The Board determined t h a t none o f t h e cases r e q u i[...]c i p l inary action. Budget and Personnel The Board o f Homeopathic Medical Examiners i s a 90/10 board funded by fees f o r 1 icense appl i c a t i o n[...]s i n s u f f i c i e n t t o pay f o r a1 1 the Board's operating expenses. Board members have vol u n t a r i l y c o n t r[...] |
| [...]TABLE 2 BOARD OF HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL EXAMINERS REVENUES AND EXP[...]3,186 3,069 d Total In Board ~ u n d ( ~ ) $ 1.193 $ 3.286[...]3.186 $ 3.069 $ 4.769 (1 ) The Board's budget documents contain an internal discrepanc[...]3. ( 2 ) Although monies were available i n t h e Board's fund, t h e Legislature has appropriated only $2,100 since f i s c a l y e a r 1981-82 f o r Board expendi t u r e s : f o r f i scal y e a r[...]ropriated a r e i n s u f f i c i e n t t o cover Board expenses. Board members have paid approximately $16,000 of Board expenses i n f i s c a l years 1981-82 thro[...]nt f o r these expendi tures. Source: Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners' budget requests f o r[...] |
| The Board has no f u l l - t i m e s t a f f , and operates from t h e Board p r e s i d e n t ' s p r i v a t e medical o f f i c e s . The p r e s i d e n t ' s[...]i a l s e r v i c e s p r i m a r i l y a t t h e Board p r e s i d e n t ' s expense. A u d i t Scope[...]d t h e adequacy o f r e g u l a t i o n by t h e Board o f Homeopathic Medical Examiners. Specifically we examined: 0 The need f o r an independent board r e g u l a t i n g homeopathy, The Board's e f f e c t i v e n e s s and e f f i c i e n c[...]a p p r e c i a t i o n t o t h e members o f the Board o f Homeopathic Medical Examiners and t o t h e Board p r e s i d e n t ' s o f f i c e s t a f[...] |
| [...]a c t o r s i n determining whether t h e Arizona Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners should be continued o r terminated. 1. The o[...]v e and purpose i n e s t a b l i s h i n g t h e Board The enabling s t a t u t e s f o r t h e Board o f Homeopathic Medical Examiners s t a t e t h a t t h e purpose o f t h e l[...]h e l i c e n s i n g and r e g u l a t i o n o f homeopathic physicians." The s t a t u[...]nsure competence and q u a l i t y i n t h e homeopathic p r o f e s s i o n by a u t h o r i z i n g t h e Board t o examine, license and d i s c i p l i n e homeopathic physicians. 2. The e f f e c t i v e n e s s w i t h which t h e Board has met i t s o b j e c t i v e and purpose[...]e n c y w i t h which i t has operated The Board l a c k s t h e necessary resources t o e f f e c[...]rent funding l e v e l s do n o t a l l o w t h e Board t o h i r e professional s t a f f , r e n t[...]t i v e services. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e Board may n o t be a b l e t o ensure competency b[...]imited funding may hamper the Board's a b i l i t y to s u f f i c i e n t l[...]a l action. During i t s 4 years, Board records show t h a t o n l y f i v e formal[...]e d . According t o t h e Board president, none o f t h e f i v e w[...]i s c i p l i n a r y action. To date t h e Board has n o t heard o r i n v e s t i g a t e d |
| [...]l i c . However, t h e Board l a c k s t h e resources t o c o n t r a c[...]should a major complaint come b e f o r e t h e Board (see page 19). A1 though t h e c u r r e n t f i n d i n g l e v e l i s 1 i m i t e d , t h e Board has made e f f o r t s t o promote p u b l i c h e a l t h and safety. According t o t h e Board president, t h e Board has i n v e s t i g a t e d and a s s i s t e d i[...]zona. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e Board performs background checks on a p p l i c a[...]e p u t a b l e physicians receive homeopathic licenses. 3. The e x t e n t t o which t h e Board has operated w i t h i n t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t A1 though r e g u l a t i n g homeopathic physicians i s i n t h e publ i c i n t e r e s t , because t h e Board's statutes allow homeopaths[...]uals t h a t o f doctors 1 icensed b y t h e Board o f Medical Examiners (BOMEX) and t h e Board o f Osteopathic Examiners i n Medicine and Surgery[...]refore, t h e 1eve1 o f r e g u l a t i o n f o r homeopathic physicians should be comparable t o t h a t o f medical doctors (M.D.) a[...]i n Sunset Factor 2, -he Board's funding c a p a c i t y does n o t provide f o[...]s and r e g u l a t i o n s promulgated by t h e Board a r e c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e 1e g i s l a t i v e mandate The Homeopathic Board has n o t promulgated any r u l e s and r e g u l a t i o n s t o date. Board minutes i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e Board began work on r u l e s and r e g u l a t i[...]al d r a f t s have been submitted t o t h e Board ' s Attorney General repre[...] |
| 5. The extent to which the Board has encouraged i n p u t from the public bef[...]ted, public hearings have not been held. The Board has complied w i t h the open meeting law on public meetings. The Board has submitted a l i s t i n g of the locatio[...]tary of State. 6. The extent to which the Board has been able t o investigate and resolve complaints w i t h i n i t s jurisdiction The Board has received few complaints and appears t o[...]d them i n a timely manner. However, the Board has conducted no major investigations on any compl aints. According t o the Board's president, the nature of the complaints[...]not merit investigative activity. The Board has limited investigative resources because i t lacks adequate funds. According to the Board's Attorney General representative, i f a case comes before the Board t h a t poses significant public harm, the Board may receive investigative assistance from th[...]s t a f f i s limited, i t could not be the Board' s sol e investigative resource. 7. The extent[...]ions under enabl ina 1eai sl ation The Board's s t a t u t e s appear to be adequate. According t o the Board's former Attorney General representat[...] |
| [...]a r e considered adequate. However, as t h e Board has n o t prosecuted o r taken any d i s c i p l i n a r y action, t h e adequacy o f t h e homeopathic s t a t u t e s has n o t been tested. 8. The e x t e n t t o which t h e Board has addressed d e f i c i e n c i e s i n t h e[...]ve Council staff, the Board submitted a proposal f o r s t a t[...]tions for those a s s i s t i n g homeopathic physicians i n t h e i r p r a c t i c e s . The proposal d i d n o t pass. The Board has no proposals f o r t h e 1985 l e g i s l a t i v e session according t o t h e Board president. 9. The e x t e n t t o which changes a r e necessary i n t h e laws o f t h e Board t o adequately comply w i t h t h e f a c t[...]thereby t e r m i n a t i n g t h e Arizona Board o f Homeopathic Medical Examiners. This a c t i o n woul d r e t u r n r e g u l a t i o n o f homeopathic physicians t o BOMEX and OBEX. I f t h e Board i s n o t terminated, the Legisl[...]h e scope o f p r a c t i c e t o a l l o w only homeopathic diagnoses and treatments (see page 20). 10[...]t t o which t h e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e Board would s i g n i f i c a n t l y harm t h e p[...]r n e d t o BOMEX o r OBEX. As medical p r a c t i t i o n e r s w i t h a scope o[...]n t t o t h a t o f M.D.s and D.O.s, homeopathic physicians should be[...]X c o u l d b e t t e r r e g u l a t e homeopathic physicians due t o |
| the Homeopathic Board ' s 1 i m i t e d funding. I f homeopathic physicians were placed under t h e j u r i s[...]1evel o f r e g u l a t i o n exercised by t h e Board i s appropriate and whether 1ess o r more s[...]e g u l a t i o n i s appropriate, t h e Homeopathic Board's a b i l i t y t o adequately r e g u l a t e i[...]e regulation. The Homeopathic Board shoul d be terminated and homeopathic physicians should be r e g u l a t e d by BOMEX o[...], i f t h i s does n o t occur, t h e scope o f homeopathic p r a c t i c e should be l i m i t e d t o a l l o w o n l y homeopathic diagnoses and treatments. 12. The e x t e n t t o which t h e Board has used ~ r i v a t ec o n t r a c t o r s i n t h e performance of its duties and[...]oul d be accompl ished According t o t h e Board president, t h e Board has n o t c o n t r a c t e d f o r a[...] |
| [...]FINDING I THE HOMEOPATHIC BOARD SHOULD BE TERMINATED The Homeopathic Board shoul d be terminated. A1 though t h e Homeopathic Board was created as a r e s u l t o f a l l e g e d antagonism w i t h i n t h e medical community , t h e 1egal l y a1 1owed scope of practice for homeopathic physicians weakens medical r e g u l a t i o n i n Arizona. Moreover, homeopathic physicians c o u l d be more e f f e c t i v e l y r e g u l a t e d by t h e Board o f Medical Examiners (BOMEX) and t h e Board o f Osteopathic Examiners i n Medicine and Surgery (OBEX) if t h e two boar[...]ld t h e L e g i s l a t u r e n o t a1 1ow t h e Homeopathic Board t o terminate on J u l y 1, 1986, Arizona's medical r e g u l a t i o n would be improved i f 1 icensed homeopaths' medical a c t i v i t i e s conformed t o the accepted scope o f p r a c t i c e and t h e Board had more revenue. The Board Was Created Because o f Alleged Antaaonism W i t h i n The Medical Communitv Antagonism as perceived by homeopathic p r a c t i t i o n e r s , r e s u l t e d i n l o b b y i n g efforts for an independent board. Prior to the Homeopathic Board's c r e a t i o n i n 1981, physicians who[...]The l o b b y i s t working f o r t h e Board's enabling 1e g i s l a t i o n stated that BOMEX' s i n t o 1erance of homeopathic practices necessitated an independent board. Three Homeopathic Board members reported that differences in medical philosophy tend to polarize homeopathic physicians and o t h e r medical doctors. The Board's p r e s i d e n t s t a t e d t h a t i d e a l l y , homeopathy should be t r e a t e d as a medical s p e c i a l t y , and r e g u l a t e d through[...]He stated, however, that while homeopathic physicians had not experienc[...]he d i d n o t b e l i e v e t h a t homeopathic physicians would be f a i r l y r e g u l a t e d by BOFIEX. The Board's p r e s i d e n t and t h e l o b b y i s t both concluded t h a t t h e Board was necessary t o ensure t h a t medical doctors c o u l d p r a c t i c e a f u l l range[...]y, without f e a r o f l o s i n g t h e i r medical licenses. |
| The Scope Of Practice Allowed For Homeopathic Physicians Weakens Arizona ' s Medical Regul ation Although the Board's s t a t u t e s allow licensed homeopaths to practice a wide range of medical a c t i v i t i e s , the authorized scope of practice i s too broad and reduces the effectiveness of medical regulation i n Arizona. The Homeopathic Board may sanction medical a c t i v i t i e s t h a t exceed the accepted s[...]physicians i s reduced and Arizona's standards of medical practice are weakened. Current Scope Of Practice Exceeds Homeopathy - Licensed homeopathic physicians i n Arizona a r e authorized t o engage i n medical a c t i v i t i e s t h a t exceed the accepted scope of homeopathic practice. The Board's enabl i ng 1egislation a1 1ows i t t o sanction medical practices previously regulated only through B014E[...]y defines homeopathy by including a wide range of medical treatments within i t s scope of practice. The Board's enabling legislation allows i t t o regulate a wide range of medical practices. Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S. ) $32[...]microdosage, prepared according to homeopathic pharmacology, i n accordance w i t h th[...]The reference to hol i s t i c medicine gives the Board extensive regulatory powers. In a memorand[...] |
| [...]pective o f other 1icenses he1d.* The Homeopathic Board, therefore, may sanction t h e k i n d s o f broad medical a c t i v i t i e s previously regulated only[...]any particular type o f medical specialty. It i s a philosopy o f treatment[...]surgery. Consequently, Arizona now has t h r e e medical boards t h a t may r e g u l a t e a wide range of medical p r a c t i c e s . The s t a t u t e incorr[...]however, i s a 1 i m i t e d medical practice. While h o l i s t i c i n nature[...]c treatments such as surgery. The Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia o f t h e U n i t e d States (HPUS)[...]i o n describes two b a s i c f e a t u r e s o f homeopathic treatment: 1) a comprehensiv[...]; and 2 ) t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f a homeopathic drug o r drugs, as d e l i n e a t e d i n t h e[...]t h e regul a t o r y a b i l it y o f o t h e r medical boards and lowers A r i z o n a ' s standards f o r medical p r a c t i c e . The scope o f p r[...]il Opinion. ** The HPUS i s a l i s t i n g o f homeopathic drugs and procedural g u i d e l i n e s f o r homeopathic drug preparation. It i s published by t h[...] |
| a1 1ows t h e Homeopathic Board t o nu11ify d i s c i p l i n a r y a c t i o n s taken by those boards. Further, the Board's standards for e v a l u a t i n g medical competency a r e l e s s s t r i n g e n t than those o f BOMEX and OBEX. Homeopathic physicians' current scope[...]t h i s can occur. Case 1 a A 1 icensed medical d o c t o r (M. D. 1 had a h i s t o r y o f prob[...]unprofessional conduct and medical incompetency. The p h y s i c i[...]e d a c u r r e n t out-of-State medical l i c e n s e , which allowed him t o r e c e i v e a homeopathic 1 icense i n November 1983. . Comment De[...]ecord o f h i s p r e s c r i p t i o n s . A Board review of t h e record i n d i c a t e d t h a t[...]substances o r c l a s s I 1 drugs; however, Board members expressed concern over t h e q u a n t i[...]drugs he had prescribed. One Board member questioned i f t h e d o c t o r was u s i n g h i s homeopathic l i c e n s e t o p r a c t i c e a l l o p a t h[...]s extensive use o f a1 1opathic medicines under a homeopathic l i c e n s e has, i n e f f e c t , n u l l[...]zona M.D. l i c e n s e t o o b t a i n h i s homeopathic l i c e n s e i n February 1982.[...]X. Although t h e p r e s i d e n t o f t h e Homeopathic Board maintains t h e d o c t o r was t r e a t i n g t[...]edication. BOMEX records do n o t i n d i c a t e homeopathic methods were discussed. I n June 1982, t h i[...]OMEX. However, because he r e t a i n e d a homeopathic l i c e n s e , he c o u l d do t h i s and s t i l l r e t a i n a l l medical |
| Further, a1 though the Homeopathic Board may allow its 1 icensees to[...]t h i c and osteopathic medicine, t h e Board's standards f o r e v a l u a t i n g competency[...]revoked 1 icense t o p r a c t i c e homeopathic medicine . . .[from] another[...]r i c t o f Columbia. . . ." The Homeopathic Board, however, i s n o t r e q u i r e d t o determine[...]comparable to Arizona's. The Board generally assumes that an[...]r i t t e n exam c o v e r i n g a wide range o f medical knowledge. While t h e Homeopathic Board may a l s o r e q u i r e a p p l i c a n t s t o[...]a n t ' s competency i n homeopathy. The Board's 1 i c e n s i n g standards, design[...]opathic medicine. BOMEX And OBEX Could Regulate Homeopathic Physicians E f f e c t i v e l y BOMEX and OBEX c o u l d r e g u l a t e homeopathic physicians more e f f e c t i v e l y than t h e Homeopathic Board. Although proponents o f an independent board c i t e d antagonism w i t h i n t h e medical community as t h e reason f o r c r e a t i n g t h e Homeopathic Board, a review of cases i n v o l v i n g homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s w i t h BOMEX and OBEX show t h a t t h e r e t e n t i o n o f an independent board i s unwarranted. Both of these[...]t e c t i o n f o r t h e pub1 i c t h a t t h e Homeopathic Board cannot finance. |
| An Independent Board I s Unwarranted -[...]A review o f cases i n v o l v i n g BOMEX and homeopathic physicians i n d i c a t e s t h a t peer review[...]enough t o warrant an independent board. One BOMEX i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n v o l v i n g a homeopathic physician, however, does illu s t[...]diagnosis and treatments t h a t i n c l u d e d homeopathic preparations. I n t h i s c[...]estigator called i n t o question homeopathic examination procedures and t h e s c i e n t i f[...]t i o n does n o t appear t o warrant a separate medical board. BOMEX a1 so had questions about homeopathic p r a c t i c e i n a case i n v o l v i n g another physician. Rather than a separate board, however, what BOMEX seems t o need i s g r e a t e r i n p u t regarding homeopathic p r a c t i c e s . I n t h e p a s[...]d peer review t o r e s o l v e cases f o r which board members needed a u t h o r i t a t i v e advice r e g a r d i n g medical special t i e s . I n cases i n v o l v[...]a p p r o p r i a t e i n cases i n v o l v i n g homeopathic physicians. Moreover, BOMEX's s t a t u t e con[...]second area o f c o n f l i c t between BOMEX and homeopathic physicians. T[...]c t r o d i a g n o s t i c machines. Nevada ' s Homeopathic Board recognizes e l ectrodiagnosis as a 1e g i t i m a t e homeopathic modality. BOMEX has r e s i s t[...], and has c l o s e l y s c r u t i n i z e d two homeopathic physicians r e g a r d i n g the effectiveness[...]t an independent r e g u l a t o r y board. BOMEX s t a t u t e s * OBEX f i l e s on t h e one homeopathic p h y s i c i a n l i c e n s e d by OBEX showed no antagonism r e l a t e d t o homeopathic practices. |
| [...]Resources - Regulating homeopathic physicians through BOMEX and OBEX would a l s o e[...]otection to the public. The Homeopathic Board, however, cannot adequately serve o r p r o t e c[...]o t e c t i o n t o t h e p u b l i c than t h e Homeopathic Board. Like other Arizona medical boards i n c l u d i n g t h e Homeopathic Board, BOMEX and OBEX a r e[...]Under t h i s method, a board funds i t s own operations by assessing a p p l i[...]one f u l l -time i n v e s t i g a t o r . The Homeopathic Board, however, cannot indepen[...]I n i t s f i r s t 3 years, t h e Board licensed a t o t a l of 15 physicia[...]i t s inadequate funding, t h e Board cannot afford t o rent office space, h i r e s t a f f o r pay Board members' expenses.* * I n t h e absence o f adequate funding, a c t i v i t i e s conducted by t h e Board are l a r g e l y financed by Board members themselves. Since f i s c a l y e a r 1982, Board members have i n c u r r e d approxima[...]e personal c o n t r i b u t i o n s -psi d f o r Board members' t r a v e l expenses t o and from Board meetings, t h e occasional services o f t h e Board p r e s i d e n t ' s p r i v a t e secretary, and off i c e supplies. The Board's f i l e s a r e k e p t a t t h e p r i v a t e o f f i c e of t h e Board president. The Board p a i d t h e p r e s i d e n t ' s p r i[...] |
| As a r e s u l t , t h e Board l a c k s v i s i b i l i t y , and i t[...], w i t h i t s p r e s e n t resources t h e Board has very l i m i t e d i n v e s t i g a t i v e[...]gets, t h e c o s t o f such services f o r t h e Homeopathic Board would be approximately $11,000 annually.[...]oards ranges from $1 5 t o $35 an hour. I f The Homeopathic Board I s Continued, Changes Are Needed If t h e L e g i s l a t u r e does n o t a l l o w t h e Homeopathic Board t o t e r m i n a t e on J u l y 1, 1986, changes a r e needed i n t h e scope o f homeopathic p r a c t i c e and Board fundi ng. A r i z o n a ' s medical r e g u l a t i o n would be more e f f e c t i v e if t h e medical a c t i v i t i e s o f l i c e n s e d homeopaths conformed t o t h e accepted scope o f homeopathic p r a c t i c e as o u t l i n e d i n the HPUS.[...]r r e g u l a t i n g a1 1opathic and osteopathic medical p r a c t i c e s t o BOMEX and OBEX. If t h e scope o f homeopathic p r a c t i c e i s reduced, however, 1 icensed h[...]D.O.* While the Homeopathic Board should * Iiloreover, i n a mem[...] |
| [...]e q u a l i f i e d . I n addition, t h e Homeopathic Board w i l l need a d d i t i o n a l funds i f i t i[...]coul d s u b s t a n t i a l l y r a i s e t h e Board's fees, appropriate State General Fund monies,[...]formula, t h e 15 p r e s e n t l y 1 icensed homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s woul d each need t o pay almo[...]e a r i n renewal fees t o f i n a n c e minimal Board operations w i t h o u t an a d d i t i o n a l G[...]n i s another a l t e r n a t i v e . The Board c o l l e c t e d l e s s than $1,000 i n[...]3-84. Without r a i s i n g fees, t h e Board would need t o keep t h a t revenue and r e c e i[...]nd monies. CONCLUSI ON R e t a i n i n g t h e Board o f Homeopathic Medical Examiners is unnecessary. A1 though homeopathic physicians claim conflict within the medical community r e s u l t e d i n an independent board, t h e l e g a l l y allowed scope o f p r a c t i c e weakens medical r e g u l a t i o n in Arizona. Hom[...]r e shoul d consider t e r m i n a t i n g t h e Homeopathic Board. Physicians p r a c t i c i n g homeopath[...]v i n g disputes between t h e boards and homeopathic physicians. * BOMEX and OBEX each c[...] |
| 3. If the Legislature does not allow the Homeopathic Board t o terminate on July 1 , 1986, consideration shoul d be given t o the following. 0 Amend the Homeopathic Board's s t a t u t e so the Board may sanction only medical practices re1 ating t o homeopathy. Remove A. R. S. $32-2933.20 from the Board's enabl ing 1egis1 ation 1 so 1icen[...]a 1 icensed M.D. or D.O. However, any medical practices falling outside the scope of h[...]regulated by BOMEX or OBEX. Raise the Board's fees, appropriate State General Fund monies to the Board, or some combination of both t o ensure t h a t the Board has resources needed t o provide[...] |
| [...]uditor General h a s r e c e n t l y conducted a Performance Audit of t h e Arizona Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners a s p a r t of t h e Sunset Review s e t[...] |
| [...]To u n d e r s t a n d homeopathy and why t h e Homeopathic Board was c r e a t e d , i t i s n e c e s s a r y t[...]e have e x i s t e d two oppos- i n g schools of medical philosophy.[...] |
| [...]s a n a t u r a l m e d i c i n e . A homeopathic medicine o r remedy i s u s e d t o s t i m u l[...]hy i s n o t h e r b a l m e d i c i n e . Those homeopathic m e d i c i n e s which a r e made from h e r b s[...]and p r o c e d u r e s s e t f o r t h i n t h e Homeopathic Pharmacopia o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .[...]c i n a t i o n t e c h n i q u e s u t i l i z e homeopathic p r i n c i p l e s i n t h a t s m a l l[...] |
| [...]s t i n t r o d u c e d i n t h e 1 8 5 0 ' s by homeopathic phy- s i c i a n , C o n s t a n t i n e H e r i[...]e U n i t e d S t a t e s . "The homeopathic method made i t s f i r s t p r o -[...]p i d e m i c , t h e p r i c e of homeopathic m e d i c i n e f o r c h o l e r a i n c r e a s[...]e m i c d i s e a - e s i n which homeopathic p r a c t i t i o n e r s d i ~ t i n ~ z i s h e[...]v e r . The 1 9 t h c e n t u r y homeopathic r e c o r d s a r e f u l l o f c[...]of s o c i e t y were u n d e r t h e c a r e o f homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s i n t h e l c o u l t e r , H a r r i s L . , P h . D . , Homeopathic S c i e n c e and Modern M e d i c i n e ,[...] |
| [...]z a b e t h a l w a y s t r a v e l s w i t h a homeopathic f i r s t a i d k i t . " I n 1[...]er, t h e p r o p o r t i o n o f homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s was h i g h e[...]1 two c o l l e g e s o f Homeopathic Medicine i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .[...]3 ~ o u l t e r ,H a r r i s L . , Ph.D. , Homeopathic S c i e n c e and Modern M e d i c i n e , Americ[...]f l i c t Between homeopath^ a n d t h e American Medical A s s o c i a t i o n , N o r t h A t l a[...] |
| [...]i a and o t h e r l e a d i n g medical s c h o o l s , t h e y were r e - f u s e d admittance t o t h e orthodox medical societies. Profession[...]C o u l t e r , H a r r i s L . , P h . D . , Homeopathic S c i e n c e and Modern M e d i c i n e ,[...] |
| [...]e s a r e w o r k i n g w i t h some t y p e of homeopathic o r h o l i s t i c p h i l o s o p h y .[...]e v e n t u a l l y c r e a t e d t h e Arizona Board o f Homeopathic M e d i c a l E x a m i n e r s . I t i[...]l d e a l i n g s with t h e a l l o p a t h i c medical establishment. Homeo[...] |
| [...]t h e need f o r a s e p a r a t e , autonomous homeopathic m e d i c a l b o a r d . I[...]h BOMEX and e v e n t u a l l y o b t a i n e d homeopathic l i c e n s e s . Four c a s e s were a c[...]s t o t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f t h e Homeopathic Board, r e l a t e s t o i n s u f f i c i e n t f u n d i n g of t h e Board. The Homeopathic Board p e r f o r m e d a l l o f i t s d u t i e s w[...]t h r o u g h t h e d e d i c a t i o n of t h e Board members and t h e s t a f f . The A[...]t i o n s . At p r e s e n t , t h e Homeopathic Board h a s c o n d u c t e d s e v e r a l i n[...] |
| [...]s Report is o n l y s p e c u l a t i v e . The Homeopathic Board h a s p r o t e c t e d t h e p u b l i c by h e[...]e r m i n i n g w h e t h e r t h e A r i z o n a Board o f Homeo- p a t h i c Medical Examiners s h o u l d b e c o n t i n u e d o r t e r m i n[...]d p u r p o s e i n e s t a b l i s h i n g t h e Board. The p u r p o s e f o r e s t a b l i s h i n g t h e Board o f Homeopathic M e d i c a l E x a m i n e r s was t o e n s u[...]i c e i n m e d i c a l c a r e . The Board was e s - t a b l i s h e d t o p r o m o t e t[...]f h o m e o p a t h i c physicians. 2. The Homeopathic Board h a s met i t s o b j e c t i v e and p u r p o s[...]e r a l ' s R e p o r t s t a t e s t h a t t h e Board l a c k s t h e n e c e s s a r y r e s o u r c[...]e r a l ' s R e p o r t s t a t e s t h a t t h e Board h a s n o t h e a r d any c o m p l a i n t s t[...]t s a r e d e c i d e d l y f a l s e . The Board h a s i n v e s t i g a t e d two d i p l[...] |
| [...]s t i g a t o r from Canada t h a n k i n g t h e Homeopathic Board f o r t h e i r c o o p e r a t i o n i n c l o s[...]i c e n s u r e w i t h t h e Homeo- p a t h i c Board. Upon i n v e s t i g a t i n g t h e s e i n d i v i d u a l s , t h e Board d i s c o v e r e d t h a t t h e s e p h y s i[...]d t o o b t a i n l i c e n s u r e w i t h t h e Board. Even t h o u g h t h i s p h y s i c i a n[...]t e n s i v e i n v e s t i g a t i o n by t h e Board. T h i s p h y s i c i a n t h e n b r o u g h t s u i t a g a i n s t t h e Board which was sum- marily dismissed i n t h e Arizona[...]e p o r t makes a s t a t e m e n t t h a t t h e Board may n o t b e a b l e t o e n s u r e competency[...]gram i n t h e S t a t e o f Nevada. 3. The Homeopathic Board h a s o p e r a t e d w i t h i n t h e p u b l i[...]e r a l ' s R e p o r t s t a t e s t h a t t h e Homeopathic Board may n o t p r o v i d e a d e q u a t e p r o t[...]h i g h l y s p e c u l a t i v e s i n c e t h e Board h a s h a n d l e d e v e r y t h i n g , i n c[...]n d i n g . I t would a p p e a r t h a t t h e Homeopathic Board i s b e i n g p l a c e d i n a "Catch-22[...] |
| [...]t i o n s p r o m u l g a t e d by t h e Board a r e c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e l e g i s[...]a A t p r e s e n t , t h e Board h a s s e v e r a l r u l e s a n d r e g u l a t[...]nths. 5. The e x t e n t t o w h i c h t h e Board h a s e n c o u r a g e d i n p u t from t h e[...]p l i c a b l e a t p r e s e n t . 6. The Homeopathic Board h a s been a b l e t o i n v e s t i g a t e and[...]e r a l ' s R e p o r t s t a t e s t h a t t h e Board h a s o n l y r e - c e i v e d a few c o m p l[...]e companies and i n q u i r i e s a b o u t what homeopathic therapy is. 7. The e x t e n t t o which t[...]s up speculations. Thus f a r , t h e Board, w i t h i t s l i m i t e d r e s o u r c e s ,[...]t l y . 8. The e x t e n t t o which t h e Board h a s a d d r e s s e d d e f i c i e n c i e s i[...]s s t a t u t o r y mandate. The Board h a s n o p r o p o s a l s f o r t h e 1[...] |
| [...]u n s e t Review. 9. The l a w s o f t h e Board are a d e q u a t e i n c o m p l i a n c e w i t[...]e r a l ' s R e p o r t s t a t e s t h a t t h e Board s h o u l d b e terminated o r t h e s t a t u t[...]e scope of p r a c t i c e t o a l l o w o n l y homeopathic d i a g n o s e s and t r e a t m e n t s . "[...]h e same f o r homeopaths. Homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s , a c c o r d i n g t o s t[...]o r D.O.'s p r i o r t o o b t a i n i n g a homeopathic l i c e n s e . A l l homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s must p a s s t h e a l l o p[...]ans. 10. The t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e Board would s i g n i f i c a n t l y harm t h e[...] |
| [...]e l f a r e would b e b e t t e r s e r v e d i f homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s were p l a c e d u n d e r t[...]v i o u s a c t i o n s o f BOMEX a g a i n s t homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s . I f t h e homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s w e r e p l a c e d u n d e[...]s u l t i n a d e a t h s e n t e n c e o f t h e homeopathic p r o f e s s i o n . There is no r e[...]Fur- t h e r m o r e , by p l a c i n g homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s u n d e r BOMEX, i t would s[...]r e a t m e n t by p h y s i c i a n s u s i n g homeopathic p h i l o s o p h y . S i n c e t h e e n a c t[...]of r e g u l a t i o n e x e r c i s e d by t h e Board i s a p p r o p r i a t e .[...]n s w e r s a s t o what would happen i f t h e Board needed more i n v e s t i g a t i v e power. The[...]e r a l ' s R e p o r t s t a t e s t h a t t h e Board s h o u l d b e t e r - m i n a t e d b e[...] |
| 12. The e x t e n t t o which t h e Board h a s u s e d p r i v a t e c o n t r a c t o r s[...]FINDING 1 THE HOMEOPATHIC BOARD SHOULD NOT BE TERMINATED The A u d i t o r G e n e r a l ' s R e p o r t s t a t e s t h a t homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s c o u l d b e more e f f e c[...]paths." T h e r e h a v e been two c a s e s o f homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s b r o u g h t i n f o r i n[...]y s u g g e s t s t h e l i m i t a t i o n o f homeopathic p r a c t i c e t o 1 8 t h c e n t u r y medicine. THE BOARD WAS CREATED BECAUSE OF ANTAGONISM WITHIN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY The A u d i t o r G e n[...] |
| [...]a t h e t r a d i t i o n a l medical e s t a b l i s h m e n t does tremendous i n j u s t i c e t o homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s . THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE ALLOWED FOR HOMEOPATHIC PHYSICIANS STRENGTHENS ARIZONA'S MEDICAL REGULATIOX[...]o n s being w i t h i n t h e s c o p e of t h e homeopathic p h y s i c i a n ' s l i c e n s e . For example, i n London, t h e r e is a Royal Homeopathic H o s p i t a l which d o e s m a j o r s u r g[...]i t a l s i n Great B r i t a i n t h a t employ homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s , t h e r a p i e s an[...] |
| [...]e r a l ' s R e p o r t s t a t e s t h a t t h e Homeopathic Board h a s been a l l o w e d t o n u l l i f y d i s[...]wo c a s e s i n d i s p u t e between BOMEX and homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s . I n r[...]e v i e w p o i n t of t h e Homeo- p a t h i c Board.[...]cy. Following t h i s , t h e Homeopathic Board i s s u e d t h i s p h y s i c i a n a l i c e n[...]was t h o r o u g h l y r e v i e w e d by t h e Homeopathic Board. The p h y s i c i a n i n q u[...]T h i s p h y s i c i a n was g r a n t e d a homeopathic l i c e n s e w i t h e x t e n s i v e r e s t[...]on i t . H e h a s appeared b e f o r e t h e Homeopathic Board e v e r y 3-6 m o n t h s , a n d h i s p[...] |
| [...]c h a r g e s o f h a r r a s s m e n t by t h e Homeopathic Board. S i n c e t h i s physician has been l i c e n s e d by t h e Homeopathic B o a r d , h e h a s had no c o m p l a i[...] |
| [...]i p l i n a r y a c t i o n s t a k e n by t h e Board d u r i n g t h e p a s t s i x y e a r s i n d i[...]m e d i c i n e " , b u t , "The S t a t e Board o f Medical Examiners h a s s o m e t h i n g t o s a y a b o u[...] |
| [...]ve s u c h a good (I record with t h i s Board." The l e g i s l a t u r e showed w i s[...](I p a t h i c Board s e v e r a l y e a r s a g o . T h i s h[...]The R e p o r t a l s o s t a t e s t h a t t h e Homeopathic Board " g e n e r a l l y a s s u m e s t h a t an a p[...]a t e s meet i t s s t a n d a r d s . The Homeopathic B o a r d ' s s t a n d a r d s and OBEX's[...] |
| AN INDEPENDENT BOARD I S WARRANTED The A u d i t o r G e n e[...]- p a t h i c physicians without prejudice? THE HOMEOPATHIC BOARD HAS ADEQUATE RESOURCES The A u d i t o r G e n e r a l ' s R e p o r t s t a t e s t h a t t h e Homeopathic Board d o e s n o t h a v e a d e q u a t e r e s o u[...]t of t h e l a c k of r e s o u r c e s , t h e Board l a c k s v i s i b i l i t y a n d i t s a c c e[...]situation. F o r e x a m p l e , t h e Board was g r a n t e d $100 a p p r o p r i a t i o n[...]i r s t y e a r i n e x i s t a n c e . The Board was a l s o t o l d by t h e S t a t e Budget D i[...]them f i n a n c i a l l y , a n d t h a t t h e Board would h a v e t o provide f o r its functions in[...]comments on t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f t h e Homeopathic Board. According t o t h e A u d i t o r G e n e r a l ' s R e p o r t , t h e Homeopathic Board h a s c a r r i e d o u t its functions s a t i[...]d b e a c r e d i t t o t h e members o f t h e Homeopathic Board t h a t t h e y h a v e done s u c h a s a t i s[...]. To p e n a l i z e t h e Board a n d t h e c i t i z e n s who s e e k t[...] |
| [...]l d remove t h e r e s t r i c t i o n t h a t a homeopathic p h y s i c i a n must b e a r e s i d e n t o f[...]c t i o n s . If out-of-state homeopathic p h y s i c i a n s c o u l d b e l i c e n s e d[...]e a s e . a I F THE HOMEOPATHIC BOARD I S CONTINUED, CHANGES ARE NEEDED The A[...]e r a l ' s Report s t a t e s t h a t i f t h e Homeopathic Board i s a l l o w e d t o c o n t i n u e , t h e s c[...]e a of p r e s c r i p t i o n writing. Homeopathic phy- s i c i a n s c a n n o t a c c e p t any l[...]t i c modali- @ ties. A homeopathic p h y s i c i a n i s a t o t a l p h y s i c i a n . The homeopathic physicians l i s t e d i n t h e S t a t e of Ar[...]e t e o u t - p a t i e n t c a r e , u s i n g homeopathic (I and a l l o p a t h i c p h i[...]s t a n d i n g a b o u t 2 0 t h c e n t u r y homeopathic p h y s i c i a n p r a c t i c e s , and[...] |
| [...]h o i c e i n h e a l t h c a r e . 1. The Homeopathic Board s h o u l d b e c o n t i n u e d b e c a u s e i[...]edom o f c h o i c e i n health care. 2. The Homeopathic Board p r o p o s e d s e v e r a l c h a n g e s i n t h e Homeopathic Statute: (a) Removal o f t h e r e s t r i c t i o n t h a t a homeopathic p h y s i c i a n must b e a r e s[...]n s and r e n e w a l s of l i c e n s e s f o r homeopathic physicians. (d) R[...] |
| [...]President A r i z o n a Board o f H o m e o p a t h i c M e d i c a l E[...] |
| APPENDIX LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OPINION ON HOMEOPATHIC STATUTES |
| [...]s e c t i o n 32-2901 et seg. establishing t h e Board of H o m e o p a t h i c Medical Examiners (Board) and gzve ir t h e a u t h o r i t y t o license[...]oarci m e m b e r s otners i n t h e medical c o m m u n i t y , c u r r e n t opinion suggest[...]ns iicensed by t h e a o a r d of l l e d i c a l Examiners a n d t h e Board of O s t e o p a t h i c Examiners i n l f e d i c i n e a n d Surgery. An A t t o r[...]o r D.O. "a h o m e o p a t h i c physician i s a medical practitioner .. .[...]a r to 5e any l e g a l i m p e d i m e n t t o a homeopathic physician's a5ili:y t o prescrl'm d r ~ g s a n d[...]The p r e s e n t i n t e r 2 r e t a t i o n of homeopathic s t a r u r e s allows 3 h o m e o p a t h i c ph[...]h o m e o p a t h i c physician licensed by t h e Board and a!so licerlsed In .Arizona as an 11. D. or D.[...]o m e o p a t i ~ i cphysician licensed by t h e Board and licensed a s a n h1.D. o r D.O. in a n o t h[...]R.S. section 32-2901, p a r a g r a p h 2 allow a homeopathic physician t o use and prescribe allopathic[...] |
| [...]t h e i r 41.D. o r D.a. Arizona licenses. T h e Board h a s c h o s e n t o t a k e no actior, a[...] |
MD | |
| Arizona Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners | |
| Arizona Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners | |
| Arizona Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners |
Arizona Office of the Auditor General, Performance audit, Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners, 1985. Arizona Memory Project, accessed 18/01/2025, https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/200733
