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A hopeful sign for those sick of the allopathic monopoly! Archive.

Access to Medical Treatment Act (HR 2792)

Dear Walt

As you might know, the American Association for Health Freedom (AAHF) has been working for passage of the Access to Medical Treatment Act (AMTA) since its inception. This bill would not only guarantee consumers access to the full range of therapies, it would also protect licensed healthcare practitioners from censure and harassment for using so-called alternative therapies.

Not only does the AMTA expand patients’ options, it helps ensure patients’ safety. In addition, it returns the decision-making authority to the patient, and reinforces the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship.

We're proud to announce that Access to Medical Treatment Act was recently introduced in the House by Representatives Burton and DeFazio (H.R. 2792) and we expect the Senate to reintroduce it shortly. There have been changes to the bill to make it stronger. Language (taken from reimportation bills) names the countries that the medical treatment may come from (Section 3.4) and are as follows: a member country of the European Union or the European Free Trade Association, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Japan.

We will have to prepare for significant opposition from organizations such as the American Medical Association, the American Heart Association, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Federation of State Medical Boards, and others. To counteract that opposition and to help build awareness of this crucial bill, we will be contacting other organizations to endorse the bill as well as healthcare practitioners. We have created a strong AMTA presence on our website (visit http://www.healthfreedom.net/AMTA/default.asp) and have developed a cohesive strategy to raise awareness of AMTA and to encourage Congressional support.

But we can’t do it alone. Please visit our website, read about the bill and take action. Contact your representatives. Tell your friends about the bill. If you’re an organization or healthcare professional contact AAHF (office@healthfreedom.net) and let us know that you endorse AMTA. Additionally, if you are aware of therapies that may be covered by this bill, please let us know.

We could also use your financial support. Whether your contribution is $25 or $2,000 - every dollar can be put to good use. Click here to make your secure donation or visit https://secure.ga3.org/01/amta.

Don't forget that you are a powerful force. Members of Congress view 1 letter equaling 1,000 voices. Our representatives need to see that there is strong support for this bill, so please take action today.

Thank you for your support and dedication to health freedom.

Best,

Brenna Hill
Executive Director
American Association for Health Freedom
PO Box 458
Great Falls, VA 22066
703 759-0662
www.healthfreedom.net

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Your Congressperson

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Support H.R. 2792, AMTA

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

Every year, Americans with severe chronic or terminal diseases and their doctors face an FDA Catch-22. Access to Medical Treatment Act (AMTA), HR 2792 would help fix this dilemma. I am writing to ask for your support and sponsorship this crucial bill.

This is truly a patients' Bill of Rights. It returns the decision-making authority to the patient, and reasserts the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship. Most importantly, it gives American consumers access to the many drugs and therapies that are available to people all over the world, but which cannot be sold in the United States.

Today, we have a two-tiered medical system: one track for people who can afford to fly to Germany or Italy or Canada for life-enhancing and life-saving treatments; and one track for the rest of us. As a result, we are literally encouraging a black market in such things as cancer and arthritis treatments. We are also condemning millions of Americans to a life of pain and even premature death because they cannot use safe and effective products that are available elsewhere in the world.

It takes an average of 10 years and hundreds of millions of dollars to get one drug through the FDA approval process. Not every company is willing or able to make that kind of investment, especially if they are already selling their products in other countries. In the case of non-patentable products, there is simply no incentive for companies to make that kind of investment.

There are safe and proven medical treatments available in the European Union countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan that could provide an option when FDA approved drugs or devices have not worked. Instead of being able to receive these treatments in our local community, under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional, the only option is for patients to leave our country to seek out medical help. And only for those who can afford to travel outside of the country on top of medical expenses. In essence, this means only the wealthy can afford the best healthcare.

This bill contains numerous patient protections, including strict informed consent procedures. Patients must visit an authorized practitioner to access unapproved drugs and devices. Practitioners may not exceed their scope of practice or advertise unapproved drugs or devices. Information about beneficial results must be reported to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at NIH, and information about negative results must be reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even one adverse event will result in the unapproved product being removed from the market.

I believe -- and hope you agree -- that it is possible for Americans to decide if they want to use a particular therapy and that it is possible for their physicians to know if a therapy will help a patient. Americans should not be denied full access to medical treatments in their own communities when there is no evidence that an FDA unapproved treatment is harmful.

Please consder supporting this legislation and becoming a sponsor. Please let me know what your position is on AMTA. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Walt Stoll

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What's At Stake:

American Association for Health Freedom believes that AMTA balances patient protection with increased freedom to select from a much wider range of products. It also returns the decision-making to the practitioner and patient, where it belongs. The bill also helps prevent the creation of a two-tiered medical system in which only the wealthiest and best-educated Americans have access to products used in other countries. By making these products available here, in a safe and controlled environment, patients will no longer fall prey to snake oil salesmen peddling unproven cures, or depend on a black market in non-FDA approved drugs. In addition, valuable information will be collected and disseminated to patients and practitioners alike.

Access to Medical Treatment Act - Permits any individual to be treated by a health care practitioner with any medical treatment that the individual desires (including a treatment that is not approved, certified, or licensed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) if: (1) the practitioner agrees to treat the individual; and (2) the administration of such treatment does not violate licensing laws. Authorizes health care practitioners to provide any method of treatment to such an individual if certain requirements are met. Requires a practitioner to report: (1) administering such treatment and discovering it to be a danger to an individual; and (2) the positive effects of an unconventional medical treatment for a life-threatening medical condition. States that nothing in this Act shall in any way adversely affect the distribution or sale of dietary supplements.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Read about Access to Medical Treatment Act.

E-MAIL your representatives.

Additionally, you can call, fax, or visit your representatives.

Support AAHF. Donate or become a member now and help us get this bill passed. We can't do it without.

Don’t forget to FORWARD this message to a friend. Keep health freedom a reality, not a dream.

Thank you!

Campaign Expiration Date:
July 12, 2006

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Re: A hopeful sign for those sick of the allopathic monopoly! Archive.

Re: A hopeful sign for those sick of the allopathic monopoly! Archive.