Richardson Endorses Holistic and Spiritual Health Care

[question everything]

December 24, 2007

Richardson Endorses Holistic and Spiritual Health Care
WSJ Washington Wire

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has found a way to differentiate his health plan from the rest of the Democratic crowd — by endorsing holistic and spiritual medicine. Responding to a question Saturday at a living-room gathering in snowy Des Moines, the first-tier-wannabe candidate touted his state’s expertise with nontraditional methods of healing.

“In my state, New Mexico, we’ve got more holistic healing than you do. I appreciate that kind of medical care. I appreciate dietary supplements. I appreciate oriental medicine. I think we have to open up health care delivery and access. You know how the doctors are. They want to keep it to themselves,” he said. Under a Richardson administration, government health programs would pay for alternative therapies, he said.

The question that prompted Richardson’s expansive view of healing came from the event’s host, Jon Royal, a one-time financial planner and now master practitioner of “Unlimited Body” and “Unlimited Breath,” holistic therapies that have their origins in chiropractics and Tibetan Buddhism.

After Richardson’s alternative medicine spiel, another self-described “holistic healer” named Sandy chimed in. She had asked a similar question of Richardson at an event several months ago but came away unsure of his stance. This time was different. “You just won my vote,” she said.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2007/12/23/richardson-endorses-holistic-and-spiritual-health-care/ (subscription, maybe)

[dkf]

1. I'm cool with this.

Whatever works I say.

My boss really likes his accupuncturist. She was the only person that helped him including his doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, massage therapist etc.

[emilyg]

2. The marriage of traditional and alternative medicine is good.

[Lucinda]

11. Yup.

[tekisui]

3. Way to lead on this, Richardson!

Whether something is proved effective or not, is immaterial. If it is part of ones practice, it should be covered. However one treats disease, stress or health problems is a personal and/or spiritual belief, and should be respected and provided for.

[sandnsea]

4. Does he support single payer?

I imagine most people would prefer 100% coverage for doctors, hospitals and medicine first.

[Liberty Belle]

5. Awesome. "Alternative" medicine is becoming mainstream;

even the National Institute of Health is investing lots of money researching effectiveness of acupuncture, chiropractic, and even supplements to treat serious conditions including cancer.

In Washington state, any company that sells insurance is REQUIRED to cover all licensed practitioners including naturopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists, etc.

In many cases alternative therapies are being found to be as effective (or more effective) than "conventional" treatments, often with less side effects. I personally rely on natural medicines/supplements instead of pharmaceuticals most of the time, ever since I developed allergic reactions to nearly ever known antibiotic. I've been much healthier since switching to natural products, and also see a chiropractor and massage therapist regularly to relieve pain from permanent nerve damage caused by a car accident - severe pain that MDs told me to "live with" as they could not treat it.

Any national healthcare policy MUST include herbal medicine and alternative practitioners, as well as dental care to be truly comprehensive. Many serious health conditions can be caused by dental problems, including heart attacks if a dental infection enters the bloodstream, so I've never understood why dental care is treated as if it's optional.

I applaud Richardson for his stance, and hope the public and press will pressure all other candidates to join Richardson's position.

[Bright Eyes]

6. Why doesn't he just hand out giant placebos to everyone

Same damn thing.

[tekisui]

20. Some placebos work.

Many times, when people believe they are getting cured, they are cured. The placebo effect has cured many, many people.

If someone wants to avoid surgeries and drugs and radiation treatment, why shouldn't the therapies the chose be covered?

[Bright Eyes]

32. Placebos aren't going to cure something like cancer.

They may help with disease that are psychological, diseases that will go away on there own, or even perhaps pain. But there are disease that are not going to go away with out some kind of treatment.

I sympathize with people who want to avoid surgery or radiation, but why should the government pick up the tab for treatment that is not proven to be effective?

Also, who would decide which alternative medicines should be covered under UHC(stuff like those stupid http://skepdic.com/qray.html">Q-ray bracelets or http://www.skepdic.com/bioharmonics.html">bioharmonics)? Some people will swear by them. Should they be covered too?

Please don't confuse alternative medicine with allied health medicine(stuff like athletic training, massage therapy, or nutrition specialists). Those things should be covered by UHC(assuming we ever get that).

[rumpel]

7. reader comments are very

closed minded...

alternative and natural totally jives with me...

thanks for the post

[Kucinich4America]

9. Well, this IS the Wall Street Jounal.

Someone is probably worried their Big Pharma stock might tank.

[question everything]

19. Your point being?

Are you doubting the accuracy of the report because of the source?

How narrow minded and prejudicial. This is something that I would expect from feepers, not from DU, though I have often encountered it.

[Kucinich4America]

8. I'm liking Richardson more all the time.

corporate hospitals and toxic pharmaceuticals aren't the answer for everything. As far as I'm concerned they aren't the answer to ANYTHING, except as a last resort in emergency situations.

[Warpy]

10. There's a lot of quackery out there,

but this state is pretty good at enforcing licenses and checking up on just what claims alternative practitioners are making and whether or not they're telling people with potentially lethal problems to avoid real medicine.

There have also been some real blunders, like the DEA forcing a local curandera to take the marijuana out of her skin salve, marijuana in such a minute quantity that smoking the whole container wouldn't give a gnat a buzz and wasn't absorbed through the skin, anyway. I understand her skin cream for things like prickly heat doesn't work as well without it.

Now that we've got a more liberalized medical marijuana law, maybe that will change.

[Lucinda]

13. Hopefully more states will join NM and the other states who are leading on this

It can't happen soon enough...

[Lucinda]

12. I wasn't aware of this. Thanks!

I'm off to read the rest... :)

[maximusveritas]

14. I don't like this

You've got to keep things evidence-based. Opening it up to these crackpot unproven theories is just asking for trouble.

[Bright Eyes]

15. There is no such thing as alternative medicine

There is medicine that works and there is medicine that doesn't.

[question everything]

22. Eastern Medicin existed long before our own Western one

and sicek people got well, and people lived long life.

While Western medicine made great strides in dividing the bodies into systems: nervous, digestive, cardivascular, etc., to understand them better, the reality is that nature is more efficient and the "systems" work together. And this is part of the alternative medicine - to treat the body as a whole.

The problem of the FDA is that it always seeks the "active ingredient" in a herbal preparation, for example. But, again, often it is not just one active ingredient, but different parts of the plants interacting with different systems of the body.

In fact, an active ingredient is often too harsh - hence all the side effects - while an herbal remedy works more gently, coaxing the body to help itself heal.

And what exactly works in medicine? Vioxx? Stents? Other medicines and medical devices that have been recalled?

In the 50s doctors kept increasing the sizes of lobotomies since they did not see any "bad effect" with just cutting a small part of the brain.

And this is the problem with covering alternative medicine, of course. The agencies - insurance or the government - will have to determine where to draw the line, and they will only pay for what the FDA approves. Because of the diffused nature of alternative medicine, it will be hard to determine what works and what does not, since they vary with the patient and the condition.

[Silent3]

33. Do you have any hard stats on survival rates and life span "long before"?

While Western medicine made great strides in dividing the bodies into systems: nervous, digestive, cardivascular, etc., to understand them better, the reality is that nature is more efficient and the "systems" work together. And this is part of the alternative medicine - to treat the body as a whole.

I'll take the overall life span and health of Americans living today above the overall health of the Chinese -- all Chinese, including all of the peasants -- from 200 years ago.

Western medicine might not be perfect, and we've now got "diseases of abundance" to deal with caused by overeating, excess meat and fat, lack of exercise, etc., but nevertheless western medicine shows clear, measurable results.

In fact, a lot of the ammo aimed against Western medicine in many cases comes from the kind of medical studies Western medicine routinely performs. We know that drug X causes liver damage in 2.4% of patients because we bother to test and find out. How would you ever know in most cases whether herbal extract Y or ancient salve Z causes anyone liver damage?

Whether based on "just one active ingredient" or "different parts of the plants interacting with different systems of the body" -- efficacy can, and should, be measured. Possible deleterious side effects can and should be studied.

Show me the controlled studies that show that a particular treatment is proven effective, and I'll happily see my tax dollars put into paying for that treatment for those who need it. If you've got nothing but anecdotes and unchecked mysticism, it's a waste of public money.

And by the way, when I say controlled studies, I mean on a case by case basis. It my very well turn out that when you do the study, a tea made from ginseng root and powder crow's beak helps heal ulcers -- that's one study down, several thousand left to go. Just like studies about Lipitor and Flomax don't tell you a damned thing about the efficacy or possible bad side effect of Ambien, a few cherry-picked examples of provably effective ancient Eastern medicines and treatments don't prove a thing about the whole package deal.

What's weird about the kind of woo-woo mystical thinking common among advocates of "alternative" medicine is that, while they'd never dream of thinking that a handful of provably positive results about Western medicine bless the whole enterprise with an aura of Healing Wisdom, all it takes is a few positive anecdotes from a few people about the wonders of Eastern medicine, and they're ready to enthusiastically embrace the whole kit and caboodle.

[zalinda]

16. The Edwards plan will include some

"alternative" medicine treatments. Acupuncture was one that was mentioned in a video, as well as medical marijuana.

zalinda

[polichick]

23. Good start...

Hopefully he can be convinced to decriminalize marijuana too ~ I'm looking forward to growing a few nice pots of organic weed on my windowsill!

(Or maybe that requires legalization ~ what's the difference between decriminalization and legalization?)

[rucky]

17. When he was in Congress, he really pushed through DSHEA

Which allowed most of the supplements you see on the market.

[Zynx]

18. While I cannot condemn alternative medicine in one broad stroke, a lot of

it is total garbage. I was struck by when I did a research paper on the medical treatments of George III by how much of what they did is now commonly used alternative medicine.

[polichick]

21. Smart move...

He's right that a lot of doctors want to keep health care delivery and access to themselves ~ but alternative medicine is growing due to demand. Good for Richardson!

[MethuenProgressive]

24. More on Bill Richardson's Health Care platform: (I especially like his 'Hero's Health Card')

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/issues/healthcare

Governor Richardson's health care plan uses new ways to expand proven sources of affordable coverage to all Americans. It guarantees that all Americans will have choices of high quality, affordable care by giving every American the choice to keep their current coverage or obtain coverage through an existing, well-established program. My plan can be paid for without raising taxes. When some do not have access to affordable care, all Americans end up paying the price.

Covering Every American

Working families and small businesses will be able to purchase coverage through the same plan that members of Congress enjoy. Americans 55 and older will be able to purchase coverage through Medicare. Veterans will get access to the high-quality care they deserve, when they need it, without bureaucratic hassles.

Keeping costs under control for families and businesses

Everyone who needs coverage will get an advance refundable tax credit based on income. Like auto insurance, all Americans will have to have health coverage and employers will pay their fair share of employee health care costs.

Eliminating High Interest Rates for Medical Expenses

Richardson will clamp down on banks and credit card companies that charge outrageous interest rates for medical care debt. Lenders need to do their fair share.

Investing in Prevention and Healthy Lifestyles

Richardson will invest in prevention, streamline administration, and support healthier lifestyle choices. In New Mexico, he got junk food out of schools, increased physical education, doubled the number of school based health centers and enacted a statewide public smoking ban.

Providing a "Heroes Health Card" to all of our Veterans

The conditions at Walter Reed and so many VA facilities are a disgrace. Richardson's plan will give every veteran returning from active duty with a Heroes Health Card that provides them with a choice of physicians wherever they live. No one who has served in our military should have to drive 100 miles to the nearest VA facility just to get care.

Making Prescription Drugs Affordable

I have helped the people in my state get more affordable prescription drugs. Americans are tired of big pharmaceutical companies that rake in profits while they struggle to pay for basic, lifesaving medicines. The Federal government should negotiate prescription drug prices through Medicare.

Making Cancer a Thing of the Past.

We need a strong focus on prevention and screening -- every American who could benefit from proven screening should get it. I am a strong believer in investing in science and technology. I will substantially boost the NIH and NCI budgets. As Governor, I increased the cigarette tax that funds the University of New Mexico Cancer Center.

HIV/AIDS

In New Mexico I created the Billy Griego HIV and AIDS Act. My Vice President will serve as Chair of the HIV/AIDS Commission. That will help assure that this issue get the leadership and profile that it deserves. We've just got to do a better job on education and outreach.

Autism

First of all I am for strongly increased research on autism. The number of children in this country affected by autism is just staggering. <1 in every 150 children> Comprehensive and universal access to health care is part of the solution. I fought for increased funding in New Mexico for outreach, education, treatment and awareness. This is something that I have been talking about on the campaign trail everyday and it will be a priority in my administration.

[bunnies]

25. Naturopathic medicine saved my life

after three very expensive surgeries failed to help me. When used correctly, these types of treatments are sometimes more effective than western medicine. People are sadly misinformed about it however.

This will cause me to take another look at Richardson. Thanks for posting.

[LWolf]

26. You mean he differentiates his plan from MOST of the rest.

HR 676 covers alternative medicine.

Just to be accurate.

[bunnies]

27. It does?

I just re-read the bill and didnt see anything about it. Im glad you brought it up though.. I'd forgotten about the dental and vision coverage.

Link to the bill I read: http://www.pnhp.org/docs/nhi_bill_final.pdf

[LWolf]

28. I believe it falls, in the bill itself, under

Sec. 102 (a), listing

(1) primary care and prevention;

(2) inpatient care;

(3) outpatient care;

(4) emergency care;

(5) prescription drugs;

(6) durable medical equipment;

(7) long term care;

(8) mental health services;

(9) the full scope of dental services (other than cosmetic dentistry);

(10) substance abuse treatment services;

(11) chiropractic services; and

(12) basic vision care and vision correction (other than laser vision correction for cosmetic purposes).

Cosmetic dentistry and cosmetic laser surgery are explicitly excluded. Alternative medicine, delivered by a licensed practitioner, can be assumed to be included as "primary care and prevention," and "outpatient care," since it is NOT excluded. The license requirement is included in 103 (b) 2.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c109:1:./temp/~c1094B2Trl:e6569:

Kucinich definitely includes alternative care when he speaks about HR 676, and has been since I first heard him on the subject in 2003:

<snip>

We must establish streamlined national health insurance, "Enhanced
Medicare for Everyone." It would be publicly financed health care,
privately delivered, and will put patients and doctors back in control
of the system. Coverage will be more complete than private
insurance plans; encourage prevention; and include prescription
drugs, dental care, mental health care, and alternative and
complementary medicine.

http://www.naschip.org/Chicago/presidential%20Candidates%202008.pdf

[bunnies]

29. Thats kinda what I thought...

but just wasnt sure. The DK quote definitely clears it up. Thanks for the info.

This is the only real solution to the health care crisis, imho. But since it effectively wipes out the insurance industry, we will never be allowed to have it. Disgusting.

[LWolf]

31. I hear you.

The only way to achieve this solution is to vote ONLY for candidates that will endorse this solution, for Congress as well as for president. Democrats are not yet courageous enough to do so.

I will be asking my local congressional candidates to comment on HR 676 before choosing who to vote for. If enough people did only that, our voice might be strong enough to turn the tide.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

30. Covering alternative medicine is becoming popular because it's a cheaper approach to hypochondria

Hypochondriacs eat up a certain amount of health care costs, and if they can be steered to less expensive treatments there's a great potential savings, with no real loss of quality of care. That's why a lot of health insurance and HMO operations have been revisiting policies on covering alternative care.

Hint: Things that don't increase profits are non-starters.

[smalll]

34. LOL - Ricardson: "I appreciate dietary supplements." -- That's the problem right there!

Please Bill, try to develop an appreciation for dietary deductions instead!