Controversy Surrounding Dry Needling in Florida Continues
The debate over whether dry needling falls within the scope of chiropractic practice in Florida rages on, and recent developments have only added fuel to the fire. Despite the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine (FBCM) voting down the Florida Chiropractic Association's (FCA) request for a Declaratory Ruling in November, the controversy refuses to die down. Let's dive into the latest twists and turns in this ongoing saga.
Altered Minutes Raise Questions
One of the most concerning developments in this ongoing saga is the release of the written minutes from the FBCM's meeting where the vote on dry needling took place. These minutes, however, tell a different story compared to the audio transcript of the meeting. It appears that the FBCM chose to omit crucial aspects of the discussion, including concerns about the safety of dry needling and the board members' reasons for voting against it.
Rather than accurately reflecting the board's decision to reject the declaratory statement, the minutes only include a brief mention of the withdrawal of the declaratory statement by Kim Driggers, legal counsel for the FCA. This omission raises questions about transparency and accountability, as the board's responsibility is to accurately document its proceedings.
The motion to accept Driggers' withdrawal came after the board voted against the declaratory statement. This discrepancy between the written minutes and the audio transcript has led to confusion and frustration among those closely following the issue.
The FCBM was contacted numerous times about their parliamentary procedures with no response. And keep in mind the reason they may not want to answer any questions about their parliamentary procedures is that the FBCM never voted to undo its rejection of dry needling. That decision stands according to the audio transcripts and according to Roberts Rules of Order.
CLICK HERE for the audio recording of the vote
The FCA's Lobbying Efforts
In the midst of this controversy, the FCA has taken additional steps to advocate for its stance on dry needling. The association recently attempted to bring the matter before the health policy committee of the Florida Senate, chaired by Senator Burton. On Tuesday, February 6th, the FCA lobbied for a hearing on the issue, seeking to gain support for its position.
While advocacy and lobbying are common tools for organizations to express their views, the timing and context of these efforts have raised eyebrows. It appears that the FCA's lobbying attempts are part of a broader strategy to push its agenda, despite the FBCM's decision. Will the FCA be honest during the hearing and let the Senators know that the Board rejected the addition of dry needling to the practice scope and that the only reason Driggers attempted to pull her request for a declaratory statement according to the actual transcripts was so:
"that it doesn't make it difficult in the legislative process"
This means Driggers knew right then she had a problem and was going to need to go to the legislature. But if they went to the legislature with the fact that the Board voted them down 4-2 memorialized in the written minutes the Senators would laugh them out of the room.
Did the FCA just get lucky and what actually happened was left out of the minutes by mistake? Or is something more sinister going on?
The Importance of Accurate Documentation
The altered minutes and ongoing lobbying efforts have only added to the confusion and frustration surrounding the dry needling debate. Accurate documentation of proceedings is crucial for transparency and accountability within any regulatory body. The discrepancies between the written minutes and the audio transcript raise concerns about the integrity of the decision-making process.
Chiropractors and industry stakeholders must closely monitor these developments and consider the implications for their profession. The battle over dry needling in Florida shows no signs of abating, and the outcome may have far-reaching consequences for chiropractic practice in the state.
As the controversy continues, it remains essential for all parties involved to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and accurate record-keeping. Only through a fair and comprehensive examination of the facts can a resolution be reached that serves the best interests of both chiropractors and the public they serve.
