Support Assembly Bill 1478 in California

Support Assembly Bill 1478 in California!
John McDougall, M.D., has led the charge to introduce a bill in California that would require physicians to notify patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes that the drugs and surgeries commonly recommended to treat these conditions are at best useless and usually make patients worse; and that dietary intervention has been proven to improve patients' health. The bill requires that a physician obtain a patient's written acknowledgment confirming the receipt of information, as specified, regarding treatment through medical nutrition therapy prior to delivering non-emergency treatment for type-2 diabetes.

The bill is supported by The Wellness Forum, The Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine, and many patients and doctors aligned with our philosophy throughout the U.S. However, those interested in maintaining the status quo, like the California Medical Association, are opposed to it. Therefore, it is imperative that you contact legislators to show your support. Below are the names and fax numbers of the committee members currently considering the bill (there have already been so many emails sent that the members have requested that faxes be sent instead):

Assemblymember Mary Hayashi 916 319-2118
Assemblymember Bill Emmerson 916 319-2163
Assemblymember Connie Conway 916 319-2134
Assemblymember Mike Eng 916 319-2149
Assemblymember Ed Hernandez 916 319-2157
Assemblymember Pedro Nava 916 319-2135
Assemblymember Roger Niello 916 319-2105
Assemblymember John Perez 916 319-2146
Assemblymember Curran Price 916 319-2151
Assemblymember Ira Ruskin 916 319-2121
Assemblymember Cameron Smyth 916 319-2138
Assemblymember Sarah Huchel 916 319-3306

Here is Dr. McDougall's sample letter to use as a guide:


Dear Assembly Member (their name):

I am writing to ask you to vote for AB 1478, as amended. Chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes are epidemic in America and California. From my personal experience I know that while drug medication can be of value in emergency situations, drugs ultimately never cure the disease - they only suppress the symptoms of the disease. This is an expensive way to treat diseases. Our state cannot anymore afford the high cost of treating patients with drugs and surgery alone. Diet and lifestyle changes have been found to be helpful in arresting and even curing heart disease and diabetes, and are very inexpensive compared to drugs and surgery. I feel doctors should give their patients the option to be referred out for diet advice and nutrition therapy for their non-emergency heart disease or diabetic condition. Doctors also must be required by law to tell the truth about the limitations of current treatments.

Thank you very much for your support for AB 1478.

Sincerely,

Your name, address, and e-mail


This bill has the potential to significantly change the delivery of health care in California, and to set a precedent that can be used to do so in other states!