■ In mid-January, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine signed legislation into law which ushered in a new scope of practice for chiropractic care in the state of new jersey for the first time since 1953. The Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC), which represents approximately 1600 chiropractors statewide and has worked closely with legislators to shape this new scope of practice, is extremely grateful and pleased with the signing of the legislation into law by Governor Corzine. The ANJC worked closely in a bipartisan manner with state legislators over the past five years to enact passage of this long overdue scope of practice change, which enhances the way chiropractors treat and manage patients. There are over 3000 chiropractors actively practicing in New Jersey who will benefit by this legislation. Some of the components legislated by this new scope of practice: • Term chiropractic subluxation. for the first time, is now-written into statute. • Permits chiropractors to provide dietary/nutritional counseling, and the ability to dispense nutritional supplements; • Permits chiropractors to diagnose, analyze and treat all joints and soft tissues of the body independent of spinal subluxation; • Splinting and bracing, for the first time, will be put into law so that collars, braces and sports taping are forever adjuncts to chiropractic care; • Requires chiropractors to maintain malpractice liability insurance; • Requires chiropractors every two years to complete 30 credits for continuing education; • Permits chiropractors to administer physical modalities and therapeutic, rehabilitative and strengthening exercises. • Chiropractors can sign or certify temporary or permanent impairments and other certifications consistent with a chiropractic practice, such as pre-employment screenings. • Makes it unlawful for any person, other than a NJ licensed chiropractor, to render a utilization management decision that limits, restricts or curtails a course of chiropractic care. • Consistent with chiropractic practice, provides a full complement of diagnostic and analytical tests similar to other physicians. For more information, contact ANJC executive director by emailing [email protected] or calling headquarters at 1-908-722-5678.
