Montana Chiropractic Board’s Cowardly Dodge: How They’re Letting Drugs in Without Taking Responsibility
MCA, ACA, and State Regulators Are Working Together to Medicalize Chiropractic—But Won’t Admit It
(Pictured left to right: Montana Board members: Caitlin Walter, Michael Matury & Dustin Rising. Not pictured - Julie Murak)
In a stunning display of political evasion, the Montana Board of Chiropractors deliberately refused to take a position on HB 500, the bill that will grant chiropractors prescriptive authority over drugs such as muscle relaxants, NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, and trigger point injections. Instead of standing for or against the bill, the board members—most of whom have ties to the Montana Chiropractic Association (MCA) and the American Chiropractic Association (ACA)—opted to abstain from making a decision, effectively giving the bill a free pass while sidestepping accountability.
CLICK HERE for the audio and transcript of the meeting
Rather than engaging in a serious discussion about whether adding drugs to chiropractic is safe or in the best interest of the public, Drs. Caitlin Walter, Dustin Rising, and Michael Matury led the discussion in a way that made it clear they were all in favor of the bill. At the same time, they refused to formally endorse it on behalf of the board, ensuring that it will pass without resistance while they prepare to implement it.
This is the playbook of a rigged system: regulators who are also active players in the market—and members of organizations pushing to expand chiropractic’s scope—refuse to take a stand publicly but move forward with the changes as soon as they become law.
Board Members Support HB 500 but Pretend to Be “Neutral”
During the February 21, 2025, Montana Board of Chiropractors meeting, the board had the opportunity to either support or oppose HB 500. Instead, after lengthy discussions that largely assumed the bill would pass, they chose to abstain from taking a position, ensuring that their fingerprints wouldn’t be on it when it inevitably becomes law.
The only dissenting voice was Dr. Donald Gibson, a member of the public who provided testimony in opposition of the Bill. Gibson expressed concerns about public safety, inadequate education for prescribing, and the broader implications of chiropractors stepping into drug-based healthcare. He pointed out that:
Chiropractors do not receive the same pharmacological training as medical doctors or pharmacists.
The expansion of scope violates chiropractic’s historical identity as a drug-free profession.
The track record of prescribed medications is filled with preventable deaths, and chiropractors are not equipped to manage the risks of polypharmacy.
In contrast, Dr. Walter, Dr. Matury, and Dr. Rising all praised the bill, discussing which educational programs would qualify for the prescriptive authority, which drugs should be included, and how they would handle implementation once it becomes law.
Julie Murak, as the President of the Montana Board of Chiropractors, played the role of a carefully neutral facilitator while subtly steering the conversation toward passive approval of HB 500. She never directly opposed the bill or raised concerns about public safety, instead focusing on procedural questions and ensuring the board avoided taking responsibility for its passage.
Her key tactic was abstention—rather than openly endorsing the bill, she led the board toward a non-committal stance, allowing it to pass without opposition while ensuring the board would later oversee its implementation. She protected the board’s image while guaranteeing HB 500’s success.
Walter and Matury Were Ready to Testify—But “Not for the Board”
Adding to the obvious bias of the board members, Drs. Caitlin Walter and Michael Matury revealed that they planned to testify in favor of HB 500 at the legislative hearing—but not as representatives of the Montana Board of Chiropractors.
This means that while they officially refused to take a position as regulators, they had no problem speaking in favor of the bill as private individuals.
Why the secrecy? Because they knew that officially endorsing the bill as board members would make their agenda too obvious.
Dr. Matury even asked whether he should avoid mentioning that he is a board member when he testifies.
“I should make no reference to me being on the board unless I’m presenting that we happen to oppose it or accept it today. Does that make sense?” — Dr. Michael Matury
The answer he received? Yes, he can testify as a private citizen, just don’t speak for the board.
This is the classic strategy of a captured regulatory body—when you want something passed, you support it privately but refuse to take an official stance. That way, you can claim neutrality while ensuring the outcome you want.
MCA and ACA Connections: A Self-Serving Monopoly
The Montana Chiropractic Association (MCA) has been openly pushing for HB 500 and is stacked with individuals who also sit on the Montana Chiropractic Board.
Montana Chiropractic Association (MCA) Leadership Pushing HB 500:
President: Dr. Sheridan Jones, DC
Vice President: Dr. Caitlin Walter, DC (Also on Montana Board of Chiropractors)
Secretary/Treasurer: Dr. Lance Jay Doppler, DC
Past President: Dr. Michael Welker, DC
Board Members:
Dr. Ryan Oblander, DC
Dr. Dustin Rising, DC (Also on Montana Board of Chiropractors)
Dr. Kanyon Smith, DC
Dr. Rick Forrette, DC
Dr. Jenny Komac, DC
Montana Chiropractic Board Members with Conflicts of Interest:
Dr. Caitlin Walter, DC – MCA Board Member, ACA Member
Dr. Dustin Rising, DC – MCA Board Member, ACA Member
Dr. Julie Murack, DC (Board President) – ACA Member
Dr. Michael Matury, DC – HB 500 Supporter, Testifying in Favor
The MCA is an affiliate of the ACA, the national organization that has long been pushing to expand chiropractic scope to include drugs and medical procedures.
According to its website, the MCA claims:
“The MCA partners with our two national associations to advance legislation that is beneficial to the chiropractic profession - the American Chiropractic Association and the International Chiropractors Association.”
However, the ICA has historically opposed the expansion of scope into drugs—so why is the MCA pretending to be working with the ICA while openly supporting a bill that aligns with the ACA’s drug-pushing agenda?
The answer is simple: This is a monopoly in action.
MCA and ACA members sit on the regulatory board, controlling chiropractic policy in Montana.
They refuse to take public responsibility for HB 500 but actively support it behind the scenes.
Once the bill passes, they will be the ones setting the rules for prescriptive authority, ensuring they benefit.
This is regulatory capture—where the people who are supposed to protect the public are actually serving their own interests and the interests of private organizations.
No Concern for Public Safety—Except for Dr. Gibson
Throughout the entire board meeting, the only person who expressed concerns about public safety was Dr. Gibson.
Even when board staff had to redirect the conversation to discuss safety, the board members largely ignored the risks and instead talked about how they would implement the new prescriptive authority.
Dr. Rising admitted that he would not feel comfortable prescribing drugs himself—but still supported the bill.
Dr. Walter and Dr. Matury were too busy strategizing their testimony and discussing educational programs to address the potential dangers of chiropractors prescribing drugs with little or no clinical pharmacology training.
This is what happens when regulators are more concerned with their own careers than protecting the public.
Conclusion: A Profession Hijacked by Its Own Regulators
The Montana Board of Chiropractors had a clear opportunity to take a stand on HB 500—and they refused.
Instead, the board:
Pretended to be neutral while privately supporting the bill.
Allowed board members with MCA and ACA ties to influence the discussion.
Ignored public safety concerns until staff forced the issue.
Made sure the bill would pass without direct opposition.
This is not neutrality—this is a coordinated effort to pass legislation while avoiding accountability.
Montana chiropractors and the public deserve better. Chiropractic is not medicine, and those who wish to prescribe drugs should pursue a medical degree, not hijack the profession for their own gain.
CLICK HERE for the audio and transcript of the meeting
