November 2006

Pressure mounts to oust Craw in Calif.

Over the past several months, the World Chiropractic Alliance, California Chiropractic Association, and International Chiropractors Association of California, and numerous California DCs have submitted evidence to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners that Maggie Craw, DC, is unfit to serve as the Board's consultant.

The October Board meeting drew a record number of doctors interested in providing testimony about Dr. Craw, and urging the Board to dismiss or replace her, or eliminate her position altogether. The room frequently broke out in applause when testimony was given about Craw's lack of qualifications, blatant abuse of power, and obvious bias against conservative practitioners.

It was noted during the testimony that Craw is a member of the National Association of Chiropractic Medicine (NACM). According to the NACM website: "The first and foremost requirement for membership in the NACM is that a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine renounce the chiropractic hypothesis and/or philosophy; that is, the tenets upon which their scope of practice is based."

Formal complaints filed previously by the WCA documented numerous cases in which Craw has censured doctors for providing information on the benefits of subluxation correction, the role of chiropractic in wellness, or the impact of subluxations on health.

Doctors have faced severe penalties merely for telling patients that although chiropractic does not cure diseases, many patients have reported improved standards of health and wellness. She has repeatedly initiated probes into doctors' websites, advertising and patient education material, even in the absence of complaints about these items.

An article in the Marin (County) Independent Journal reviewed the situation, focused on Donald Harte, DC, whose case is typical of Craw's discriminatory actions. According to news reporter Richard Halstead, Dr. Harte "says he and others are locked in an ideological battle with the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners and other chiropractors that 'will determine whether chiropractic lives or dies in California.'"

Among the many complaints lodged against Craw is that her position on the Board constitutes a conflict of interest since she also serves as a utilization review doctor for SCIF, denying chiropractic claims then using her position with the Board if they complain or appeal.

In addition, it has been alleged that she:

***  lacks a full knowledge/understanding of laws

***  fails to investigate complaints carefully

***  sets inappropriate and arbitrary priorities for Board actions

***  applies regulations in an unfair and biased manner

***  targets subluxation‑based chiropractors

***  fails to respond professionally or in a timely way

An investigation by the WCA clearly showed that she exercises extensive control over the entire Board process. Board members are not notified when actions are taken in their name and were even made aware of the complaints registered against Craw until the WCA went directly to the Governor and individual Board members.

"Many members of the Board were shocked to see how she was handling things," stated Terry A. Rondberg, DC, WCA president. "They're proud of what the Board stands for and want to regain the confidence of the profession they represent. I honestly believe they will take whatever steps are needed for the Board to restore its reputation and make sure individuals like Dr. Craw do not destroy the standards of fairness and professionalism they've worked so hard to maintain."

The Board will review the material and testimony submitted and reach a decision in the near future.