Montana Drug Bill 2.0 Must Be Stopped
Originally published: 2025-03-29
They’re Back — And They’re Still Trying to Push Drugs
Despite widespread opposition, national embarrassment, and a razor-thin defeat of HB 500, the Montana Chiropractic Association (MCA) and their allies on the Montana Board of Chiropractors are at it again — pushing new legislation to grant chiropractors the authority to prescribe drugs.
According to an announcement from the MCA Leadership:
MCA Board Votes to Run Second Scope Bill
In a Board Zoom call on the evening of March 20, the MCA Board voted to proceed with a different scope of practice bill. This bill will be a stripped down version of HB500, that failed on third reading by one vote on the House floor. The bill will not have Medicaid expansion for those over 21 in it. The bill would establish prescriptive authority for a small list of drugs for chiropractors who want the ability to earn a pharmaceutical endorsement to their license. The Board understands that this is a controversial move, but concluded that their job is to move the profession forward for the majority of members who support it. The bill will be introduced this week.
Let us be clear: this is a second attempt to hijack the chiropractic profession, and it’s being led by a small group of politically connected, self-interested chiropractors who are determined to destroy the drugless identity of chiropractic.
This time, they’re hoping we’re too tired to fight. We’re not.
The Same Players, the Same Game
Let’s not forget who’s behind this:
• Greg Oblander, DC, MCA’s 2024 Chiropractor of the Year and Montana House Republican who introduced the last drug bill.
• Ryan Oblander, DC, his son, who practices in his father’s office, sits on the MCA board, is a dues-paying ACA member, and sits on the Insurance & Legislative Committee.
• Dr. Caitlin Walter, MCA Vice President, state board member, ACA member — who helped steer the board to “abstain” on the last bill while personally testifying in support.
• Dr. Marcus Nynas, ACA President, former MCA President, architect of this push to transform chiropractic into a branch of allopathic medicine.
Together, these insiders work out of the same offices, serve on the same boards, and draft legislation that benefits their practices — all while pretending to regulate the profession in the public’s interest.
Make no mistake about it: The effort to add drugs in Montana is being driven by the American Chiropractic Association. The MCA is an AFFILIATE of the ACA. What does that mean?
According to the ACA:
When joining the State Affiliate program, each state association will sign a partnership agreement with ACA. The agreement will include an acknowledgement that each organization’s vision of the future of chiropractic and their current policies, positions and plans for professional development are largely compatible. Further, it will contain a pledge that, to the extent possible, each organization will share information, infrastructure, staff and member support for joint programs and initiatives to advance the chiropractic profession for the benefit of our patients.
Remember What They Said Last Time?
Dr. Dustin Rising, a member of the Montana Board of Chiropractors, admitted during the last bill’s hearing:
“There is no way in hell I would feel confident prescribing right now.”
Yet he still supported the bill.
Dr. Michael Matury and Dr. Caitlin Walter planned to testify in support of the last bill — not on behalf of the board, but “just as individuals,” as if that erased the conflict.
Board members had to be prompted by their own staff to even discuss public safety.
This isn’t regulation — it’s collusion.
This Is Bigger Than Montana
Make no mistake — if they win in Montana, they will try this in your state next.
The ACA’s national plan is to expand chiropractic scope to include pharmaceuticals and injectables, just in time for their Medicare Modernization bill, which would let chiropractors bill for any service within their scope.
You see the pattern. First, they change the scope. Then, they change the billing. And then, chiropractic as we know it is gone.
Take Action NOW
We beat them once. By one vote.
We can — and will — beat them again. But we need your help.
1. Montana chiropractors: Contact your legislators immediately. Let them know you oppose any legislation that gives chiropractors prescriptive authority.
2. ALL chiropractors: Mobilize your colleagues. Reach out to national associations, patient advocates, and subluxation-centered leaders.
3. GET YOUR PATIENTS INVOLVED.
Ask your patients who are Montana citizens to contact their representatives. Explain that this legislation will:
• Destroy chiropractic’s drug-free identity.
• Blur the line between chiropractic and medicine.
• Put patients at risk by letting unqualified providers write prescriptions.
We vow to expose this sham for what it is:
A selfish power grab by a handful of rogue chiropractors who care more about profits and prestige than principle.
We will fight in the legislature.
We will fight in the media.
We will fight in the court of public opinion.
And we will protect the future of chiropractic.
Join the fight.
Protect the profession.
Keep drugs out of chiropractic.
