Hello everyone, I want to update you on where things stand with naturopathic licensure in Ohio—and why your support matters more than ever. ⸻ What Happened Last Year In October 2024, Ohio lawmakers introduced House Bill 672, aiming to license and regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine in our state. The bill moved to the Health Provider Services Committee for review. Unfortunately, since then, there’s been no further movement—Ohio remains stuck in the pre-licensed stage, preventing the law from becoming reality. ⸻ What This Means for Me (and Others) I’m currently in school to become a dietitian and plan to continue my education toward becoming a licensed naturopathic doctor. Naturopathic medicine requires completing a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree and passing rigorous national board exams. But Ohio’s lack of licensure means that even after years of training, I would not be able to legally practice here. My options would be to relocate to another state or give up my dream of serving families in my own community. I have a family, deep roots in Ohio, and a strong desire to help people through safe, integrative care. I know many others in the holistic and health sciences who share this dream. That’s why your support matters—we can’t let Ohio fall behind. ⸻ Why Naturopathic Medicine Matters Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained as primary care providers who combine conventional medical sciences with holistic, natural approaches. They address not only symptoms, but also the root causes of illness, and emphasize prevention, nutrition, and lifestyle support. Conditions naturopathic doctors commonly treat include: •Chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease •Autoimmune disorders, allergies, and digestive issues •Hormonal imbalances, thyroid conditions, and women’s health concerns •Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress •Skin conditions, fatigue, and immune support •Preventive care and long-term wellness NDs are trained to collaborate with MDs, DOs, and specialists to ensure safe, well-rounded care. ⸻ What the Research Shows •Improved Outcomes: A systematic review of nearly 10,000 patients found naturopathic care beneficial for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic pain, and anxiety. •Cost Savings: Reports show naturopathic medicine can reduce healthcare costs by lowering specialist visits and hospital admissions. In some states, naturopathic care has reduced chronic disease management costs by up to 40%. •Patient Satisfaction: Surveys of practicing NDs reveal high career satisfaction, with many patients reporting improved quality of life, faster recovery, and feeling more supported in their care. •Workforce Support: Licensed NDs help fill primary care shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. ⸻ What Other States Are Doing More than 20 states—plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—already license naturopathic doctors. In these states, NDs are recognized as primary care providers and may be included in Medicaid, insurance networks, and even Veterans Administration clinics. For example: •Oregon, Washington, and Arizona allow NDs to practice as primary care doctors with prescriptive rights. •Minnesota and Vermont include NDs in insurance reimbursement. •California and Connecticut show strong integrative collaboration between NDs and MDs. These states demonstrate that licensure works—it improves healthcare access, maintains safety, and ensures accountability. Ohioans deserve the same. ⸻ What You Can Do Your signatures, shares, and encouragement keep this effort alive. Please continue to: •Share this petition with your networks. •Personalize it when you share—your story adds weight. •Stay vocal so lawmakers know Ohioans are demanding progress. Together, we can ensure HB 672 gets the attention it deserves in the next legislative session. ⸻ Thank you for standing with me and this movement. With your continued support, we can turn “pre-licensed” into “licensed.” Let’s get this done—for Ohio. With gratitude, Malaina Fondriest ⸻ Works Cited •Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). Naturopathic Medicine: An Overview. •Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC). Naturopathic Medicine Licensure. •American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). Scope of Practice and Licensure by State. •National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM). Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Program Overview. •Ohio Legislature, 135th General Assembly. House Bill 672: License and Regulate the Practice of Naturopathic Medicine. •Natural Medicine Journal. Systematic Review of Whole-System Naturopathic Medicine. •Wisconsin Association of Naturopathic Doctors. Licensure Benefits Report. •Bastyr University. Evidence-Based Medicine Adoption Among Naturopathic Doctors. •Natural Medicine Journal. Naturopathic Medicine and Patient Satisfaction Survey.