May 2003

Delaware reinstates chiropractic right to testify as expert witness

Delaware courts will once again permit chiropractors to testify in court proceedings as expert witnesses on impairment and causation, thanks to a bill signed Feb. 21 by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner. Doctors of chiropractic had been able to testify until a ruling in a Delaware court called the practice into question.

Passage of the bill was the culmination of 18 months of work by The Executive Committee of The Delaware Chiropractic Society (DCS), the DCS membership, the legal advisors and lobbyists for the DCS.

The bill was sponsored and introduced in the Senate by Sen. James Vaughn, and was passed unanimously on January 21, 2003. Rep. Roger Roy, a longtime friend of chiropractic, was the House sponsor and saw it through the house a few days later with only three opposing votes.

A strong group effort overcame opposing lobby efforts by the Delaware Medical Society, State Farm and Nationwide Insurance companies.

"Chiropractic is fortunate to have so many friends in our State Legislature and The Delaware Chiropractic Society is proud to support those that support better healthcare for all Delawareans," noted the DCS announcement about the legislative victory.

The full text of the law is posted at the DCS can be viewed at www.DEchiro.com.