Dear Supporters,

I am writing to share a significant update regarding our efforts to secure formal licensing and regulation for naturopathic medicine in Ohio.

Senate Bill 385 has officially been introduced in the Ohio statehouse. This legislation represents the most substantial progress we have made toward ensuring that qualified Naturopathic Doctors are properly credentialed and regulated within our state.

Key Provisions of Senate Bill 385

Currently, Ohio lacks regulatory oversight for individuals using the title of naturopath, which creates safety concerns for patients. This bill addresses that gap by establishing clear standards under the State Medical Board of Ohio:

Educational Requirements: Only individuals who have graduated from accredited four year medical doctoral programs and successfully passed their professional board examinations will qualify for licensure.

Defined Scope of Practice: Licensed practitioners will be authorized to order standard laboratory work, conduct diagnostic tests, and utilize clinical nutrition and botanical therapies.

Practice Boundaries: The legislation establishes clear limits, allowing practitioners to work safely alongside conventional medical professionals while explicitly prohibiting major surgical procedures and prescription privileges for controlled substances.

Current Status of the Legislation

The bill is currently under review by the Senate Health Committee and recently completed its first and second hearings.

While this movement is incredibly encouraging, the bill faces strong opposition from established medical lobbying groups attempting to halt its progress. To move this legislation forward, we must demonstrate to lawmakers that Ohio residents actively support having safe, regulated choices in their healthcare.

Immediate Action Steps

Your signature on this petition has helped us reach this milestone, but continued advocacy is essential. Please consider taking the following actions today to maintain our momentum:

First, share this petition link. Please distribute this update to your personal networks, professional groups, or community pages. Increasing our total signature count is vital before the next committee review.

Second, contact your State Senator. Please take a few minutes to identify your district representative and call or email their office. State clearly that you are a constituent who strongly supports Senate Bill 385.

Third, share your perspective in the comments section below. Explaining why access to a safe, licensed naturopathic doctor matters to you provides the real stories we need to present during statehouse discussions.

For more information on Senate Bill 385 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio Legislature visit: https://share.google/FTipofZ0UbaHFIPFx

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to this campaign. We are making tangible progress, and your continued advocacy will help us achieve final passage.