Chambers pass bill registering naturopathic doctors

By Jim McLean

The Capital-Journal

Legislation that legitimizes naturopathic doctors is on its way to Gov. Bill Graves.

The House approved a compromise version of the bill, which had passed the Senate earlier. The measure, which would register naturopathic doctors under the Kansas Board of Healing Arts but not license them, was approved 78-45.

Supporters turned back efforts to send the bill back to committee.

"There has been too much work. We've come too far," said Gary Boston, R-Newton, House Health and Human Services chairman.

Opponents said they were concerned that naturopathic doctors wouldn't be satisfied and would return to the Legislature seeking licensure and a broader scope of practice.

"This is the nose of the camel under the tent," said Rep. Al Lane, R-Mission Hills.

The measure, which has been debated in one form or another for several years, would allow graduates of naturopathic medical colleges to prescribe natural, non-prescription medicines, perform non-invasive physical examinations and provide heath care and nutritional counseling. It also would allow them to administer intravenous therapy under a written protocol from a medical doctor.

"In the end, this was a consumer protection bill," said John Federico, a lobbyist for the state's handful of naturopathic doctors.

But one of the bill's provisions remains especially controversial. It would allow only those who have graduated from a school of naturopathic medicine to call themselves naturopaths. Currently, the term is commonly used by a wide variety of people from trained nutritionists to the owners of health food stores.

"This is about economic protection and political protection," said Boyd Landry, a Washington, D.C., lobbyist who opposed the bill on behalf of the Coalition for Natural Health.

It isn't known whether Graves will sign the legislation.

　　From Healthy.net