Dear Colleagues and Friends of Naturopathic Medicine,
Bills HB 1630 and SB 5752 update naturopathic scope of practice to ensure that patients receive optimal primary care services from naturopathic physicians (NDs).
Our bill could be called for a vote by the House of Representatives at any time now.
Now we need a strong grassroots show of support for ALL members of the House as soon as possible.
Here are several ways to ask your representatives to
Vote for HB 1630
1) Most effective. Call your representatives office directly and ask them to vote for HB 1630.
Find your district and representative phone numbers here:
2) Less effective, but faster and still valuable.
Call the Legislative Hotline at 800-562-6000 and leave a
message. (Open M - F, 8 am - 7 pm)
Washington State Legislature Position Paper 2019
Overview:
- Naturopathic physicians (NDs) are helping to address the primary care shortage with over 350 participating in the Medicaid system. In some areas, NDs are the only available health care providers.
- This bill enables NDs to provide evidence-based, best practices for the increasing number of patients choosing naturopathic medicine
- The bill expands naturopathic prescriptive authority for a limited number of controlled substances, in Schedule III – V only. It excludes all Schedule II drugs, such as Vicodin and oxycodone.
- Expanded prescriptive authority allows NDs to better manage care of patients already taking controlled medications and reduces the need for emergency department or additional provider visits for common primary care conditions.
- Naturopathic medical education requires a minimum of four years postgraduate study and is federally recognized and accredited. Pharmacology credits meet or exceed those required of nurse practitioners.
- The 2014 Sunrise Review included DOH and HCA support for limited expansion of ND controlled substance authority - beyond that requested in these bills.
- The bill updates RCW 18.36A to recognize the Board of Naturopathy as the rule making authority for primary care procedures, in the same manner as other professions (MD, DO, RN.)
- The bill clarifies that NDs can sign public health forms such as death certificates, disability forms, guardianship and related documentation the same as other primary care providers.
Washingtonians will benefit from this bill via greater access to primary care services and more effective and efficient care management from their naturopathic primary care providers.
Contacts: Brad Tower, WANP Lobbyist, 360-742-3500, btower@phillipsburgessgr.com Robert May, ND, Executive Director, 206-547-2130, executive@wanp.org