In Favor of State Licensing

Posted for D. Davis (Petersburg): I am very much in favor of Alaska moving forward with massage therapy legislation, particularly a licensure requirement for practitioners. I realize that I'm in the minority on the issue. My concern is that "Do no harm" is not a high enough standard by which to practice. I recognize the views of other therapists and have been searching out overall feedback since first reading the proposed legislation two years ago. I think the language of the legislation can be used to apply to different categories of practitioners, ensuring that bodyworkers are accountable for their work while allowing for scope of individual practice.

I have been in practice for eight years, and have been an AMTA member since I began. I feel that required licensure is a professional imperative; that as a health care provider, it's my responsibility to promote a statewide standard for massage practitioners. I'm looking forward to participating in this endeavor.

Danya Davis, LMP

Meeting Minutes 2/28/2008

Minutes for Meeting of Southeast Alaska Bodyworkers

Thursday, February 28^th, 2008

Mendenhall Valley Library

Scheduled 6:30pm – late begin 6:45pm

Attendees:

Diane Hill

Judy MacNak

Rebecca Albert

Bonita Rohla

Cathie Allen

Jim Hudson

Ingrid Judson

Cherri Bell

Tori Dance

Leah LaBar

Discussion of adopting comprehensive local plan to address costs associated with licensing and continuing education.

J.H. suggested we plan and speak with Kim (Elton), Beth (Kerttula) and Andrea (Doll).

More talk of costs: Travel, Room & Board, Missed Income, Cost of Tests, and Licensing Fees.

It was noted that Massage Magazine has map of states requiring licenses

It was stated again that AMTA has $36 million with which to lobby

D.H. chose AMTA because of larger network of assistance available to her no matter where she might travel for work.

R.A. noted that she chose ABMP because of the allowance of any chosen class accepted toward CEU requirements.

C.B. elaborated on the laid-back and friendly nature of ABMP

J. M. opined, “If we have licensure, let’s define it ourselves.”

I.J. noted that what we all have in common is the policy to DO NO HARM.

Various talk of CEU’s, Minimum Education and Legislation…

D.H. suggested we contact Rod Meeks with AMTA in Anchorage with our questions and concerns as he is very approachable and willing to assist.

R.A. suggested we initiate survey to involve therapists in outlying and remote locations.

Mention option of Two Tier System to acknowledge differences of training and service fees for Massage Tech or (more Advanced) Massage Therapist

T.D. brought power point generated hand-outs re: Issues about the Legislative Process, Issues with the Massage Bill AS 08.61, Current Legislative Committee, Who are the Stakeholders?, Transitional Provisions, Exemptions, Testing, Two Tier Licensing System, Continuing Education, Duties of Massage Board, Powers of the Massage Board, How to Voice Your Opinion

T.D. asked, “What standing do we want? Do we want to be able to file for insurance? Opportunity to determine environment we want?”

I.J. injected some humour in the discussion by suggesting we refer to a Granny Clause as opposed to Grandfather clause.

T.D. reminded us that another reason to be involved is because chiropractors are being contacted and are already involved in determining the legislation that affects us and our careers.

J.M. restated the earlier suggestion to send surveys to outlying therapists.

Random talk of regional approach such as California’s being better suited to Alaska.

J.M. suggested we use the blog spot to gather questions to develop survey

D.H. volunteered to contact Rod Meeks re: existing survey questions to present at next meeting.

T.D. suggested that we consider a provision to exempt Native American Healers and Energy Workers

J.M. recommended we post suggested survey questions on blog spot, encourage all to submit, to be addressed at next meeting

Talk of researching current surveys online

C.A. requested D.H. to ask R. Meeks to mail copies of the survey we create to all MT’s around the state with the understanding that we will supply questions and addresses.

T.D. proposed we look at assigning regional legislative committees so that Anchorage doesn’t have the monopoly.

Talk of minimum living wage for MT’s

Question was raised, “Unionize?”

T.D. suggested that it is important for us to shape law criteria for investigations

It was noted that PT codes (J.M.?) for bodywork are priced through insurance at $78/15 minutes of which the therapist makes a small fraction.

I.J. spoke with front desk and was able secure Wednesday, March 19 from 6:30 to 9pm for next meeting.

Meeting Minutes 3/19/2008

Minutes for Meeting of Southeast Alaska Bodyworkers

Wednesday, March 19^th, 2008

Mendenhall Valley Library

6:30pm – 9pm

Attendees:

1. Betty Jo Sheldon
2. Ingrid Judson
3. Evelyn Richards
4. Grant Rich
5. Scott Parker
6. Cherri Bell
7. Tori Dance
8. Leah LaBar
9. Joanie Waller
10. Rebecca Albert

Thanks to E.R. for bringing fresh fruit, to C.B. for bringing homemade Blueberry cake and to whomever brought the hot tea!

Agenda loosely set for meeting:

1. Choose name for our group

2. Develop and edit questions for survey

Discussion about reason for a name: Networking purposes only or to better represent southeast Alaska when working with legislators around state.

Some of the Names submitted for consideration:

SALMoN - Southeast Alaska League of Massage Network
JUMBA – Juneau Massage & Bodyworkers Association

JAMBO – Juneau Alaska Massage & Bodywork Organization
AMTO - Alaskan Massage Therapy Organization
ABS – Alaska Bodyworkers Society

*SEAMBA – Southeast Alaska Massage & Bodywork Association

*Most generally agreed that this was the most inclusive and professional but no formal vote taken at this time.

It was suggested that we put names on blog to be voted on by all.

J.W. proposed adopting a mission statement if we are to name our organization.

C.B. shared info on recent meetings of newly formed massage coalition in Anchorage – Alaska Coalition of Professional Massage Therapists, or ACPMT, currently consisting of Jill Smit (state representative for ABMP), Holly Stack and Wendy Hooker.

The stated goal of this Coalition is to bring together a group of professional massage therapists dedicated to help bring about ethical and fair state legislation to Alaska. We hope to do so by providing open and honest communication between all massage therapists so that everyone is informed, educated and up to date on the entire process of bringing a legislative bill proposal to the state legislation.

Wendy Hooker is creating Massage Bill access on her business web site:

www.healthquestalaska.com

On the Alaska Coalition website you can become an active member in the legislative process to bring the massage therapy profession to it highest level of professionalism! Your thoughts and questions about the process that we are embarking on are welcome. Visit this site often for the latest draft bill updates and information on upcoming meetings.

You are welcome to join conference call meetings which are held by using Skype, an online computer phone system.

The next scheduled Skype meeting is on March 30th at 2:30pm. If you would like to attend this meeting, please sign up for Skype and then contact the Webmaster with your username.

Questions and thoughts introduced randomly from assembled group:

Suggest satellite exam through University of Alaska Southeast at Juneau to save travel costs.

What does grandfathering mean? How many years? How many hours training? Certified only?

COMTA – outgrowth from AMTA Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation

British Columbia requires 3,000 hours of education for certification.

There are more than two national certification tests:

NCBTMB National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork

NCETM National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage

NCCAOM National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine

MBLEX Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination

Additional info:

Thirty-eight states have passed laws to regulate the massage and bodywork profession. Until now, those states have utilized one of two regulatory exams: a state-specific exam or the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. But there's a new exam on the block: on Oct. 31 The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) announced that Arkansas, Iowa, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Washington have accepted the FSMTB's Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) as an entry-level licensing and competence requirement. Arkansas is using the MBLEx exclusively, while Delaware, Maine, Washington and Tennessee are using both the MBLEx and the NCETMB. Kentucky joined the Federation’s membership ranks this month, bringing total membership to 26 state boards. – as per http://www.massagemag.com/News/2007/November/Eight-States-Adopt-Licensing-Exam.php

Content for NCETMB Examination includes:

1. Anatomy and Physiology and Pathology of Body Systems
2. Detailed knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology and Kinesiology
3. Pathology
4. Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Assessment
5. Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Application
6. Professional Standards, Ethics, Business, and Legal Practices

Content for NCETM Examination includes:

1. Anatomy and Physiology and Pathology
2. Detailed knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology and Kinesiology
3. Pathology
4. Therapeutic Massage Assessment
5. Therapeutic Massage Application
6. Professional Standards, Ethics, Business, and Legal Practices

Some survey questions were addressed and editing suggestions made but group decided to do the following before revisiting survey questions:

Question original crafters of bill re: what criteria was used

Question Jill Smit (ABMP) – has lobbyist been hired yet?

E.R. volunteered to ask these questions of the appropriate parties

Question ABMP & AMTA about helping us distribute surveys to all Alaskan MTs

Some that are strongly opposed to any licensing on the grounds of their own apprenticeship into the field agreed that they might reconsider if bill allows for including apprenticeships.

T.L. from Fairbanks suggested via email that Alaska use Hawaii’s massage legislation as a model in terms of opportunities for people to take training through a system of qualified teachers who could apprentice the hands on portion and then require the balance of academic portions online or through correspondence or be required to be provided through the existing Vocational Massage schools.

Discussion again of need and reason for name. Different views expressed preference for becoming Southeast chapter of ACPMT, Alaska Coalition, to remain united in our efforts rather than splintered.

J.W. voiced previous experience with legislation in Kodiak Fisheries: legislators dismissed altogether if disunity within group/groups. Unity agreed to be important to our mission.

However, others suggested that as a separate Southeast entity we would have a stronger stakeholder status.

C.B. volunteered to approach ACPMT to query chapter involvement.

The following volunteered to contact at least one massage therapist in outlying Southeast Alaska communities in our rural outreach efforts prior to our next meeting:

L.L. & J.W. – Haines, Yakutat, Gustavus, Kodiak

R.A. – Skagway, Petersburg, Sitka, Kake

I.J. – Wrangell

B.S. – Elfin Cove, Tenakee

E.R. – Prince of Wales Island

C.B. – Hoonah, Ketchikan

Prior to next month’s meeting:

J.W. – Add to blog:

Ask southeast therapists to weigh in on chapter discussion

Ask for feedback regarding meeting attendance as relates to meeting location

Agenda suggested for next meeting:

All volunteers - Report on outreach efforts

E.R. - Report on response from AMTA & ABMP re: survey help

E. R. - Report on AMTA’s criteria for bill

C.B. – Report on ACPMT’s response to chapter SE query

Discuss group name or chapter

Discuss whether to open blog or make exclusive

Revisit survey questions

Next meeting set for:

Downtown Library Conference Room

April 16^th

7pm – 9 pm

Car-pooling to meeting

Drivers & riders leave messages here. Just leave a comment to connect with others to share rides.

Comments from Thursday Feb 28 Meeting

Please comment on items discussed at the meeting held at the Mendenhall Valley Library.