Tom Harkin and the woo merchants -

[GoneOffShore]

According to the Boston Globe http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2009/07/24/senators_seek_coverage_for_alternative_therapies/
Tom Harkin wants "alternative medicine" covered.

Alternative medicine that's been proven to work (peer reviewed studies only, thank you very much) is called medicine - otherwise it's just moonshine and woo woo.

More comments here:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/07/please_stop_electing_fool_hark.php#comments

[one_true_leroy]

1. now now...

you don't want to get banished to the skeptics' circle, do you?

I figured it would only be a matter of time before the woos start trying to get crystals, homeopathy and other nonsense covered.

It's a hard enough sell to pass HC reform without tying it down with the woo.

[GoneOffShore]

4. There are worst places to be.

:rofl

[stopbush]

2. There's no such thing as "alternative" medicine, as you point out.

[GoneOffShore]

3. Thank you - If you want a fun time on this subject

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB_htqDCP-s

Tim Minchin - Storm

[VenusRising]

5. The amendment was dropped per the article.

And it wasn't any random alternative healing, it was specific...

"Harkin is the cosponsor of an amendment that says healthcare plans will not be allowed to “discriminate’’ against any healthcare provider who has a license issued by a state, an amendment Senate aides said was designed to provide coverage for alternative medicine."



If the state issues a license for it, it gives the practice legitimacy, and should be covered. There is nothing "woo woo" about that.

[Buns_of_Fire]

6. No comment, I just thought the thread needed this:

:woohoo: