I'd like to see health insurance cover visits to Naturopaths, who focus on health and healing the body with natural approaches instead of suppressing and eliminating symptoms, which do not "cure" disease.
Right now, there are two types of Naturopaths, Natuorpathic Physicians (have some medical training, attended 1 of 4 Naturopathic colleges, & have natural health training, can perform minor procedures, draw blood and prescribe medications).
The other type is a Traditional Naturopath, which only uses natural methods and does not perform any medical-type work. Each carries the acronym, ND (Naturopathic Doctor). Both can be very helpful in proactive health and a holistic, natural approach.
Some states have licensed Naturopathic Physicians, thereby limiting the NPs as the only type of Naturopaths to carry the ND name. This is in an effort to promote their own and eliminate traditional Naturopaths from practicing.
I would like to propose:
a) To License Naturopathic Physicians as NPs (credentials as one that has graduated from 1 of 4 NP colleges)
b) To License Traditional Naturopaths as NDs (credentials passing the CTN exam as administered by the American Naturopathic Certification Board (ANCB)
c) Allow people to see an NP or an ND as part of an annual check, so they may get guidance on their health from a holistic approach
The world is big enough for both types. With licensing, the public can go to for an alternative approach and be covered by insurance. I personally am approaching my 50th birthday and am not on any medications, for which I credit my attention to my health over the years utilizing a natural approach.
The public needs us more than ever these days. Make it available, reimbursable and legal.
Windsong Holistic Health, Inc.
Darlene Zwolinksi, ND - Colorado
- by
Darlene Zwolinski
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Comments
There's only one obvious way to solve this nation's health-care crisis and that is "Disease Prevention" using natural foods. It must be taught in our schools and this will not require substantial investment on the government's part and we would save billions[with a "B"]. The U.S. would soon become the healthiest nation once again and would in a short period balance the budget and produce a surplus. It is the "common sense" solution. It is dollars spent in the most effective way. You don't have to be a math genius to figure this out. Of course, the big corporations now involved in providing the present health care would not make the profits they do now while not helping us "prevent illness", but it is the people we should be serving.
Posted by Lucien Beauley on 03/08/2009 @ 02:09PM PT