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Heated debate in Montana committee over bill to give chiropractors optional limited prescriptive authority
Summary
House Bill 929 would create an optional endorsement allowing chiropractors to prescribe a limited list of noncontrolled, non‑scheduled drugs for musculoskeletal conditions. Proponents said it would improve access and continuity of care; opponents warned it lacks adequate oversight, risks patient safety and could raise malpractice costs.
Representative Greg Oblander introduced House Bill 929 as an opt‑in endorsement that would permit chiropractors who meet board-defined education and training requirements to prescribe a narrowly defined formulary for musculoskeletal care, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), certain muscle relaxants, topical analgesics and short courses of corticosteroids.
Oblander emphasized choice for practitioners and said the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and the chiropractic licensing board would adopt rules to define educational requirements and oversight. "This is a choice. There is nothing compulsory in this bill," Oblander told the committee, adding that the board would establish the qualifications necessary for the endorsement and that the department would oversee rulemaking.
Supporters — primarily chiropractors and allied clinicians from across Montana and elsewhere — argued the endorsement would ease delays in care,…
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