Monday, June 20, 2005

"Naturopath" Takes the Fifth

The Providence Journal has followed-up on the story of local "naturopath" John E. Curran. (See our previous post here.) Curran requested an administrative hearing at the state Health Department about its suspension of his "natural healing" practice. At the hearing, Curran refused to answer every question put to him, pleading the Fifth Amendment. In particular, he would not answer questions about three diplomas that he allegedly purchased from a "bogus college," nor the $2650 check he used to pay for them; a blue coat he wore at his practice, with a badge that read, "John E. Curran, ND, MD, MPH, PhD'; documents that identified him as an ordained minister, "a fugitive-recovery agent," and a member of the press; and a New York City Police badge with his name on it. Eventually, Curran ended the hearing, and agreed to accept the suspension of his practice. The Journal reported that investigations of Curran by the US Food and Drug Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Postal Service, and Attorney's Office are still pending.
Although Curran may be an extreme example, a quick look at the web will reveal all sorts of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners making exaggerated claims about the benefits of their services. Reputable medical schools have allied themselves with CAM institutions which claim they can treat depression with acupuncture, and increase longevity with herbs (see previous post here.) The extent that spending on unproven, useless, and even harmful CAM treatments contributes to rising health care costs remains unexplored.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

John E. Curran, ND, MD, MPH, PhD, MM (MegaloManiac) is more like it.

Anonymous said...

Dr Curran is the best doctor
Find out the facts www.drcurran.com

Anonymous said...

It is very sad to know that this sick individual was able to play doctor with peoples lives for so many years and not get caught! I hope he is punished to the full extent of the law!

Anonymous said...

I am in TOTAL agreement with the above comment...... I was looking for a detox solution for heavy metal poisioning and he told me I was on the verg of developing cancer... took about 10,000 of my money. I agreed to paying him because of his credentials MD, ND, MPH, PHD... I am trying to start a class action suit is there anyone else out there that can help me????
thanks