Chiropractic Law Passed Unanimously in Costa Rica
A successful presentation to the government administrative commission of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica on March 16, 1999, resulted in a unanimous decision in favor of a newly proposed chiropractic law.
The expert testimony was given by Shawn Dill, D.C., President of the Asociacion de Profesionales en Quiropractica (APQ) and founder of Quiropractica Mundial (QM), and Andrew Roberts, D.C., Vice-President of the APQ and director of the chiropractic division of QM.
The presentation detailed chiropractic, its history, educational requirements, worldwide chiropractic legislation and the desired objective (specific Costa Rican chiropractic legislation). An initial attitude of negativity held by the commission was quickly turned into one of support and understanding.
The first order of business was to amend a proposed law, at the suggestion of the President of the medical college, which would give medical doctors practicing chiropractic total absolution and freedom with no culpability. The commission summarily rejected this motion.
Commission member, attorney Jorge Sibaja noted, “I feel our support of this law shows our human side. We easily get caught up in strictly political issues. But like this law, our thoughts and actions are in the best interests and good of the Costa Rican people.”
This landmark legislation begins the final phase of the Costa Rican governmental system for chiropractic. A panel of 19 in plenary session will review the findings of the commission and make a final vote.
