The Naturopathic Physicians Act of 2015

HB 5380 (Representative Cale Keable) and S00331 (Senators Roger Picard, Maryellen Goodwin, Paul Jabour, and Elaine Morgan)

What this bill does: This legislation requires licensure for naturopathic doctors to practice in Rhode Island, by establishing educational and practice standards and a board to regulate the profession. Twenty states and territories currently license naturopathic doctors.

Why this bill is needed: Licensure ensures high quality naturopathic care in Rhode Island by protecting the consumer from unqualified practitioners who claim to be naturopathic doctors. Licensure will improve access to complementary medicine and promote business development because more qualified specialists in natural medicine will be encouraged to practice in Rhode Island.

Who are Naturopathic Doctors?

• Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are general practitioners who are medical specialists in natural therapies. Naturopathic Doctors treat acute and chronic conditions while employing natural therapies including nutrition, herbal medicine and nutritional supplements. NDs focus on prevention and lifestyle improvements as important parts of their therapeutic recommendations.
• Naturopathic Doctors graduate from 4-year residential graduate level medical colleges and learn basic and clinical sciences similar to conventional medical doctors. These Naturopathic Medical Colleges are accredited by regional and programmatic accrediting agencies that are recognized by the US Department of Education. Courses include: basic and clinical medical sciences; physical, laboratory and radiological diagnosis; modern uses for natural and conventional therapies and a minimum of 1200hours of supervised clinical training. Graduates must pass the NPLEX, a national competency-based board exam, to obtain licensure.
• Naturopathic Doctors are licensed in: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, District of Columbia, Maryland, Minnesota, Kansas, North Dakota, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Naturopathic Doctors have demonstrated an excellent record of safety. Data from medical liability insurance carriers and from licensing boards show that naturopathic doctors are trained to deliver natural outpatient health care safely and ethically.
• Naturopathic Doctors are well-respected members of the health care community. NDs have been members of federal health care policy advisory boards. Naturopathic Medical Colleges have research projects that are funded by the National Institutes of Health and collaborate on research with the medical colleges of major universities.
• Naturopathic Doctors are seen as vital contributors of science-based expertise in the field of natural medicine. Naturopathic doctors and medical colleges collaborate with major universities, hospitals and conventional medical schools to advance research in natural medicine and the training of conventional health care providers in natural medicine.

A partial list of collaborating institutions includes:

• Arizona State Diabetes Collaborative
• Arizona State University

• Columbia University

• Emory University
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
• Kaiser-Permanente

• Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ

• Oregon Health Sciences University
• Phoenix Veterans Affairs Hospital

• University of Arizona
• University of Connecticut

• University of Florida

• University of Michigan

• University of Minnesota

• University of North Carolina
• University of Washington
• University of Washington Medical College
• Yale University

• Yale-Griffin Hospital

For further information, please contact the President of the RIANP, Dr. Marcy Feibelman at RInaturopaths@gmail.com or 508-343-0540

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For more information on the RIANP, visit www.RIANP.org

Please Help Spread the Word! Contact your General Assembly Representative and Senator

• Have friends, family, patients, colleagues, community members contact their General Assembly Representative and Senator, and urge them to support these bills. House Bill - 5380, Senate Bill S00331
• Find your local General Assembly Representative and Senator (https://sos.ri.gov/vic/)
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