FREEDOM OF ACCESS
LEGISLATION IN MINNESOTA

On May 11, 2000, Governor Jesse Ventura signed the Complementary and Alternative Health Care Freedom of Access Bill into law. This law became effective on July 1, 2001 and establishes an office within the Minnesota Department of Health to oversee unlicensed health care services. The Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practices receives consumer questions, investigates complaints and enforces disciplinary actions. Twenty-four rules of conduct are delineated for practitioners to follow.

Through this office, the Commissioner of Health has a broad selection of options–from revoking the right to practice to reprimanding the practitioner–to enforce the stated rules. The legislation thus provides a legal basis for the practice of a wide range of alternative and complementary health care practices, including homeopathy.

Practitioners are now protected against biased prosecutions as the statute states that “the fact that a . . . practice may be a less customary approach to health care shall not constitute the basis of a disciplinary action per se.” Passage of this legislation is a victory for the citizens of Minnesota and their right to choose the kind of health care that they believe best suits their individual needs.

For more information about Minnesota health care legislation, visit www.minnesotanaturalhealth.org. For information about health care freedom in states other than Minnesota, see www.nationalhealthfreedom.org.