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Chiropractic group alleges conflict of interest in ATC leadership; NP co‑chair clarifies role
Summary
A representative of the Oregon Chiropractic Association asked MLAC to ensure 'balance and fairness' after ATC interim co‑chairs include nurse practitioners; the NP co‑chair and another co‑chair responded on the record clarifying roles and facilitation duties.
Dr. Vern Saboe of the Oregon Chiropractic Association told MLAC he was disappointed that the ATC interim subcommittee had two nurse practitioners as co‑chairs after last session's OCA proposal to allow chiropractors to serve as attending physicians. He called the co‑chairs' appointment a "clear conflict of interest" and asked that future task force and summit meetings include rigorous debate and review of facts, data and scientific medical evidence on whether chiropractors, physician assistants or nurse practitioners should serve as attending physicians.
Emily Cronan, who serves as labor co‑chair of the ATC subcommittee, clarified for the record that she is a registered nurse and not a nurse practitioner and stated she has no plans to become an independent licensed practitioner. Later in the meeting, Kim Schlessinger, ATC subcommittee management co‑chair, confirmed she is a nurse practitioner but said her role on the subcommittee was to facilitate review of the SAIF bill and to bring stakeholders together, not to lobby for nurse practitioners. The committee did not take formal action in response to the public comment during the March 5 meeting.
