EPISODE · Jan 30, 2026 · 3 MIN
The AMA's "Scope Creep" Campaign: Alive and Well
from Dynamic Chiropractic · host Dynamic Chiropractic
The American Medical Association (AMA) is actively campaigning against "scope creep," a term it uses to describe non-physician healthcare providers seeking expanded clinical privileges. This crusade focuses heavily on protecting the medical profession's autonomy over diagnosis and drug prescription rights. The article traces the history of this "creep" across various professions, from nurse practitioners and physician assistants to physical therapists and optometrists, all of whom have sought higher degrees and expanded duties.In Colorado, this tension culminated in legislation (SB25-152) requiring all non-physician healthcare workers to verbally communicate their specific provider type to avoid patient confusion. For chiropractors, the debate over expanding privileges—especially prescription rights—remains highly contentious. The author suggests that while some seek prescription authority, the medical establishment's resistance makes it highly unlikely. Instead, the article argues that the profession should focus on homogenizing practice laws across states, which currently range from broad privileges to restrictive "ten finger" laws. Ultimately, the "scope creep" battle highlights the ongoing struggle for professional identity and recognition within a complex, highly regulated healthcare ecosystem.
What this episode covers
The American Medical Association (AMA) is actively campaigning against "scope creep," a term it uses to describe non-physician healthcare providers seeking expanded clinical privileges. This crusade focuses heavily on protecting the medical profession's autonomy over diagnosis and drug prescription rights. The article traces the history of this "creep" across various professions, from nurse practitioners and physician assistants to physical therapists and optometrists, all of whom have sought higher degrees and expanded duties.In Colorado, this tension culminated in legislation (SB25-152) requiring all non-physician healthcare workers to verbally communicate their specific provider type to avoid patient confusion. For chiropractors, the debate over expanding privileges—especially prescription rights—remains highly contentious. The author suggests that while some seek prescription authority, the medical establishment's resistance makes it highly unlikely. Instead, the article argues that the profession should focus on homogenizing practice laws across states, which currently range from broad privileges to restrictive "ten finger" laws. Ultimately, the "scope creep" battle highlights the ongoing struggle for professional identity and recognition within a complex, highly regulated healthcare ecosystem.
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The AMA's "Scope Creep" Campaign: Alive and Well
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