While it does not appear that this bill will go anywhere, (I will try and resist any and all jokes about this one) House Bill 1122, NC Colon Hydrotherapy Licensure, by Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange) illustrates the problem with licensure bills. While this may be a therapeutic procedure some people desire, is it necessary to put the North Carolina official seal of approval on it by licensing colon hydrotherapists?
So called “professional licensing” serves several political interests; it restricts competition and raises prices, increases revenue to government through fees, fines and other new costs, expands government by increasing bureaucracy and extends the regulatory arm of government.
As for the need of “professional licensing,” does any of the following prerequisites really fall under the auspices of “professional:”
§ 90-715. Requirements for licensure; issuance; limitations.
- Has obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Is 18 years of age or older.
- Is of good moral character as determined by the Board.
- Has successfully completed one semester of a three-credit hour course in anatomy and physiology from a postsecondary education school.
For these and many other reasons HB 1122 is the bad bill of the week. While I have probably angered all of the “colon hydrotherapists” out there and some users of this form of therapy, I hope that I have educated the general public about some of the silly legislation that politicians in Raleigh are trying to pass. On second thought, maybe we should look at colon hydrotherapy for legislators, it might improve their work (could not help one joke).
Why make a law legitimizing this sham which has no basis in medical science and only lightens the ?patients pockets and lines the practitioners’? Shouldn’t we make some chelation laws too? bjmdjd, M.D., J.D.