04/05/2000 11:30 AM Senate RLS

SENATOR LEMAN moved to calendar SB 297-BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC                                                                    
EXAMINERS with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal                                                               
notes at the Chairman's discretion.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS objected and asked if the issues between the physical                                                             
therapists and chiropractors regarding this bill were worked out.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN KELLY said the bill was heard by the Senate Labor and                                                                  
Commerce Committee on the previous day and the issues were                                                                      
addressed, however this bill does not change the status quo.  The                                                               
physical therapists do not like the words "physiotherapy                                                                        
examination" on page 2, line 23,  but that has been the status quo                                                              
for years.  The chiropractors are saying that is what their                                                                     
national examination is called and that they do not want to                                                                     
practice physical therapy.  He noted the turf battle between the                                                                
two groups is much more basic than the provisions in the bill.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS asked if the chiropractors had a chance to testify.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN KELLY said they did.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LEMAN added that a simple solution would be to call it part                                                             
5 of the national chiropractors' exam.  He was unsure that the                                                                  
problem is a turf battle because the chiropractors said they are                                                                
not looking for any change.  The physical therapists are not                                                                    
concerned about how chiropractors do their jobs, they are only                                                                  
concerned about what the examination is called.  He thought the                                                                 
issue should be taken up by the national boards of chiropractic                                                                 
examiners and physical therapists.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS removed his objection, therefore the motion to                                                                    
calendar SB 297 carried.