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State of California March 5, 2002 Election
Proposition 44
Chiropractors. Unprofessional Conduct

Legislative Initiative Amendment

3,758,718 / 79.8% Yes votes ...... 952,790 / 20.2% No votes

See Also: Index of all Propositions

Information shown below: Summary | Fiscal Impact | Yes/No Meaning | Official Information | Arguments |

Should the Chiropractic Act be amended to alter procedures and penalties in cases of various specified offenses, including insurance fraud?

Summary Prepared by the State Attorney General:
Amends Chiropractic Act to specify practices constituting unprofessional conduct; require investigation of licensee in certain circumstances and license revocation upon second conviction, or multiple convictions, of specified insurance fraud offenses.

Fiscal Impact from the Legislative Analyst:
• Negligible additional state costs to implement the measure's provisions.

• Potential state savings, of an unknown amount, in lower workers' compensation and Medi-Cal costs.

Meaning of Voting Yes/No
A YES vote of this measure means:
The Board of Chiropractic Examiners would be required to revoke a chiropractor's license for a period of ten years upon his or her conviction of various criminal offenses, including insurance fraud, and to investigate any licensed chiropractor who is criminally charged with committing insurance fraud.

A NO vote of this measure means:
The Board of Chiropractic Examiners would retain discretion to determine the disciplinary action to impose against a licensed chiropractor and whether to investigate every licensed chiropractor who is criminally charged with committing insurance fraud.

Official Sources of Information
Arguments Submitted to the Secretary of Statethe Secretary of State

Summary of Arguments FOR Proposition 44:
Insurance fraud creates higher insurance premiums for us all. Although most chiropractors practice lawfully, some do not. Stiffer penalties for second convictions of insurance fraud must be put in place like ones that exist for other professionals like doctors and lawyers. Vote "yes" on Proposition 44 to help stop fraud.

For more information, see full Arguments & Rebuttals

Summary of Arguments AGAINST Proposition 44:
Let the punishment fit the crime. The only reason a chiropractor should lose his license is for harming patients. Financial dishonesty has nothing to do with medical skill. Chiropractors who commit fraud should have to pay back their victims, and must be able to earn a living to do so.

For more information, see full Arguments & Rebuttals

Contact FOR Proposition 44:
Jackie Speier, State Senator

P.O. Box 3113; Daly City, CA 94015; 650-361-0301

Contact AGAINST Proposition 44:
Ted Brown, Libertarian Party of California

14547 Titus Street, Suite 214; Panorama City, CA 91402; 818-782-8400; tedbrown1776@hotmail.com; http://www.ca.lp.org/

  Official Information

Secretary of State

Legislative Analysts's Office Nonpartisan Information

League of Women Voters

California Voter Foundation News and Analysis

San Diego Union-Tribune

Ventura County Star
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Created: April 19, 2002 10:59 PDT
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