naturopathydigest.com -- Effort Continues to License Naturopathic Doctors in New York

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Effort Continues to License Naturopathic Doctors in New York

Donielle Wilson, ND, CPM

It's the mission of the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NYANP) to support and actively work to achieve licensure for naturopathic doctors in the state of New York.

As president of the NYANP, I believe licensure will pass. New York historically approves licensure for professionals who have appropriate training and offer an important service to the public. Naturopathy clearly fits this definition and New Yorkers demand and deserve access to naturopathic care.
During the 2006 legislative session, the naturopathic profession in New York made significant headway in the licensure effort. The NYANP has been overwhelmed by the level of support from medical doctors and other health care professionals. When the licensure bill was up for committee review in June of 2006, there were so many letters of support addressed to legislators we had to work overtime to distribute them all. These support letters not only expressed an interest in working collaboratively with naturopathic doctors, but also emphasized that naturopathic doctors are well-trained and appropriately refer patients to conventional care when necessary.
As an organization, the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) has been opposed to the licensure of naturopathic medicine. The NYANP has met with this group numerous times since 2003, in order to inform and dialogue with them regarding the clinical training naturopathic doctors receive, the naturopathic approach to care, the scopes of practice in states that currently license naturopathic doctors, and the scope of practice that is appropriate in New York. We brought experts such as Paul Mittman, ND, president of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, and Heather Greenlee, ND, MPH, postdoctoral research scientist in epidemiology at Columbia University, to meet with MSSNY. We also arranged for supportive medical doctors, including a doctor with both MD and ND degrees, to present to MSSNY.
As a result of these discussions with MSSNY, special efforts are being made to ensure the licensure bill accurately provides for licensure and title protection of naturopathic doctors, without impinging on the practice of other licensed health care professionals and non-medical people who sell or advise as to the use of natural products. Multiple medical specialty organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have participated in discussions in an effort to determine language that offers the public the greatest access to safe and effective naturopathic medicine.
In light of the fact that the training we receive prepares us to be experts in drug/herb and drug/nutrient interactions - a much-needed service for thousands of New Yorkers who use natural treatments in combination with prescription medications - it's no surprise legislators and conventional physicians are interested in working with the NYANP to ensure public safety. The NYANP will continue the dialogue with the Medical Society regarding the specific language of the bill. Ultimately, it's up to the legislators of the state of New York to decide that naturopathy should be regulated.
As more and more evidence is compiled demonstrating that preventive health care can save the state money, the proponents of naturopathic and conventional medicine are searching for common ground to benefit all New Yorkers. The vision of the NYANP is to bring access to integrative care to New York. Integrative care allows for communication, collaboration and co-management on patient cases, and is only truly possible once licensure exists for naturopathic doctors.
In the meantime, the NYANP has worked tirelessly to educate legislators in New York. We currently are planning our third annual lobby day at the New York state Capitol. On our last lobby day, more than 80 New York residents, including patients, students and naturopathic doctors, met with more than half of the 211 New York state legislators. During our upcoming lobby day in February 2007, we will be showing legislators an eight-minute documentary on the need for access to naturopathic care in New York. The documentary opens with a statement of support from Andrew Weil, MD, perhaps the most respected voice in integrative medicine.
For NYANP Lobby Day 2007, we also will sponsor a health fair in the New York Legislative Office Building for legislators and staff. We will provide a healthy lunch and individual consultations with naturopathic doctors, so legislators can experience first-hand the medicine we are excited to provide to all New Yorkers. Patients of naturopathic medicine will be present to tell their stories of healing and to express their hope for the future.
The bill to license naturopathic doctors in New York made more progress than was expected in 2006, and we plan to exceed expectations again in 2007. The bill passed the New York Senate committee early in 2006. The bill remained in the assembly committee, with ongoing communications right up to the end of the legislative session. Both Republicans (the majority in the Senate) and Democrats (the majority in the Assembly), as well as the governor, support licensure. We see the finish line in sight. We ask you to make a call, a donation, and/or lend a hand to this effort to profoundly change health care in New York. Please visit www.nyanp.org for more information.

About the Author: Dr. Doni Wilson graduated from Oregon State University as well as Bastyr University where she also earned a certificate in midwifery. She currently is president of the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NYANP) and is a past board member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) and a current board member of the American Association of Naturopathic Midwives. She specializes in women’s and children’s health, with practices in Danbury, Conn., and New York City. She can be reached at www.doctordoni.com.