SILVER SPRING, Md.—Support of alternative practitioners in the current Senate version of the health care reform legislation could bode well for the herbal and dietary supplement industry, according to an analysis of the bill by Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA). In an open letter, McGuffin shares his insights on the Senate version of the health care bill and how certain sections could impact the industry if included in final legislation.
Specifically, several provisions in the Senate bill appear to support more inclusion of alternative practitioners in the U.S. health care system, which could lead to more Americans using herbs and supplements through the influence of such practitioners. McGuffin called out section 2706, for example, which would prohibit “discrimination” against any health care provider licensed in a state, which could possibly allow broader inclusion of alternative practitioners in health insurance programs. He also cited section 5101, which would establish a National Healthcare Workforce Commission to improve health care and communication among local, state and federal levels; the NHWC is defined as including licensed complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners. CAM practitioners are also in the definition of “community health teams” in section 3502. In addition, section 4206 would establish a pilot program for “wellness plans” that could include dietary supplements that carry FDA-approved health claims. However, none of these sections are included in the House-passed health care bill, so it is uncertain whether they will survive the Senate-House conference.
McGuffin noted industry members and AHPA have discussed how to get involved in the development of the health care bill. He stated: “I suggested that AHPA, along with such natural allies as practitioners of alternative medicine, should be active in communicating the health benefits and potential cost savings of incorporating well-researched and traditional herbal products into any new and innovative health care system in the United States. The issue was also discussed from a legislative perspective at meetings of AHPA’s Government Relations Committee. The committee observed at its meeting in March [2009] that the herbal industry might do well to support better inclusion of alternative practitioners in the health care system. This idea is now, in fact, under serious consideration in the U.S. Congress.”