AHHA Special Update, September 2024

September 27, 2024

FEATURED RESEARCH ARTICLE
Power of Melatonin
“Melatonin has been shown to be a major regulator of the immune system. Consequently, disease states affecting a wide range of organ systems have been reported as benefiting from melatonin administration.” From a Townsend Letter research article, “Melatonin: More Than Just the Hormone That Regulates Sleep” by Pamela W. Smith, MD, MPH, MS

Search for Evidence-based Research Articles.

FEATURED ISSUE
Who will assume Chevron Doctrine power?
Last summer there were a number of U.S. Supreme Court rulings. One involved the Chevron doctrine, which allowed federal agencies to interpret ambiguous laws with broad authority. The court overturned this doctrine. It is interesting to note two opposing views of this matter now in the news.

As this will not be resolved in the near future, you are encouraged to become aware of the different points of view to help you to understand what is behind different types of actions. For example, note that related Senate and House bills were actually introduced before and after the Supreme Court ruling. Yet the bills have the same name and same text.

For those of you who follow regulations related to natural health, you may wish to take extra time figuring out the preferences of those who see one point of view offering more possibilities than the other to promote natural health.

ISSUE: Which point of view do I seen to favor for the future of the Chevron Doctrine being applied to natural health?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position and views knowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s Issue, we offer you the following articles to get you started in your personal research on the opposing points of view. This knowledge will be helpful in the year or so ahead while the two factions will be striving to have their way be the one in control.

Follow up to late June 2024 Supreme Court ruling…

Historic Ruling Limits FDA Authority (7/3/24)
Alliance for Natural Health USA
“The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to overturn Chevron deference that has for 40 years allowed ambiguous statutes to be interpreted by the relevant federal agency, making it easier to challenge federal agencies like the FDA and FTC on their interpretations of ambiguous statutes, potentially benefiting natural health access.”

Senate Bill 4749 – Stop Corporate Capture Act (7/3/24)
Congress.gov
“Senate Bill 4749 — 118th Congress (2023-2024) Introduced 7/23/24 “Stop Corporate Capture Act”
“A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to require disclosure of conflicts of interest with respect to rulemaking, and for other purposes”
“Sec. 2.  Findings
(1) Congress is dependent on providing discretion to executive officials and agencies (including independent agencies) to implement its statutes. Congress provides appropriate oversight of the use of this discretion.”
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4749/text
Prognosis: 11% chance of getting past committee; 4% chance of being enacted; close to end of two year period of 118^th Congress 2^nd Session (2023-2024) so will miss deadline for completion

H.R.1507 – Stop Corporate Capture Act  118th Congress (2023-2024)
Congress.gov
“H.R. 1507 — 118th Congress (2023-2024) Introduced 3/9/23 “Stop Corporate Capture Act”
“To amend title 5, United States Code, to require disclosure of conflicts of interest with respect to rulemaking, and for other purposes.”
“Sec. 2.  Findings
(1) Congress is dependent on providing discretion to executive officials and agencies (including independent agencies) to implement its statutes. Congress provides appropriate oversight of the use of this discretion.”
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/1507/text

Booker Joins Senate Response to End of Chevron Doctrine (7/24/24)
Cory Booker
“The Stop Corporate Capture Act codifies the Chevron doctrine and reforms the regulatory process to end corporations’ influence over the rulemaking process, prioritize scientific and public integrity, and reduce delays in implementation of laws.”

Defend Natural Health Game Changer! (9/5/24)
Alliance for Natural Health USA
“In the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling that checked the power of federal agencies like the FDA and the FTC, lawmakers in Congress have introduced a bill to roll back the clock on that decision. This will permanently give agencies the authority to inappropriately create policy in areas where the letter of the law is unclear or ambiguous.”
“We’re currently working with our General Counsel, Jonathan Emord, Esq., on several other legal challenges that leverage the overturning of Chevron to advance the cause of natural health.”

You are also encouraged to go to our blog at ahha.org/blog and post your comments.

To review past ISSUES, visit the Special Updates Archives.

FEATURED AHHA RESOURCE
Unique video blurbs
You are invited to view brief, educational, health-related video clips created by AHHA members in our Self-Help Videos section. These video clips, which give tips on health and wellness, are offered to support your journey toward achieving a higher level of wellness.