Complementary and alternative medicine: longstanding legal obstacles to cutting edge treatment

As growing numbers of Americans try complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, treatments, such as acupuncture, chiropractic, and herbal remedies, the healthcare legal and regulatory structures face changes, particularly relating to the concept of medical integration, or using CAM therapies in conjunction with conventional medicine. First, this article examines the desirability of medical integration, documenting the popularity and growth of CAM. Second, the article discusses the legal barriers to CAM integration, ranging from professional discipline by state medical boards for unauthorized practice of medicine to liability risks and the need for third-party coverage of CAM treatments. Finally, the article concludes that although medical integration is a desirable goal, many changes in the healthcare legal and regulatory system will need to occur to facilitate that transition.