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Chiropractic Freedom Coalition urges board to delay vote on NBCE–FCLB merger, cites conflict concerns
Summary
Michael Gonazalo of the Chiropractic Freedom Coalition told the board the proposed NBCE–FCLB merger and centralization of the Part Four exam lack public process and raise conflict-of-interest questions tied to Chairman Bogosian; the board asked the commenter to submit documentation for review.
During the public-comment portion of a short special meeting, Michael Gonazalo, identifying himself as a representative of the Chiropractic Freedom Coalition, urged the board not to vote on a proposed NBCE–FCLB merger.
Gonazalo said his organization represents roughly 10,000 stakeholders and alleged that private organizations including the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) and the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) are exercising "de facto regulatory power." He said the recent centralization of the Part Four exam created "massive financial and logistical hurdles for students" and occurred "without clear public comment process." Gonazalo said he and his group had submitted three formal questions to the board about the legality of using public funds for private memberships and the statutory basis for the proposed merger.
"Given the conflict concerns surrounding Chairman Bogosian's overlapping NBCE and FCLB roles, any vote now would be premature, legally questionable, and fundamentally lacking in transparency," Gonazalo told the board.
Board staff and members did not record a substantive response to the allegations during the meeting. Board staff asked the commenter to submit supporting documentation for the board to review; Maria confirmed the board can accept materials and said the next meeting is scheduled for May 14 at 9:00 a.m. No vote or board action on the merger was taken at the special meeting.
The commenter said his group will hold a town hall on the matter and invited board members to attend. The meeting record shows the board welcomed documentation but did not set a date to consider the merger or take any direction to staff beyond accepting materials.
