AKAND pushes for full scope of naturopathic practice

The Alaska Association of Naturopathic Doctors is proud to support providers offering naturopathic medicine to Alaskans. But state rules currently prevent NDs from offering the best care.

New legislation would change that. The AKAND is working hard this legislative session to pass House Bill 147 (the Senate version is SB 193.)

How HB147/SB193 helps Alaskans

The new law would establish a clear scope of practice for naturopathic doctors that reflects our education and training. The current law is outdated, limiting the ability of naturopathic doctors to provide comprehensive care to patients. House Bill 147 allows licensed practitioners to issue vitamins, minerals and non-controlled-substance prescription medications and perform minor office procedures.

• Alaska faces a dire shortage of primary-care providers. The US Department of Labor recognizes naturopathic doctors as primary-care physicians
• Allowing naturopathic doctors to practice the full scope of their training will immediately increase the number of primary-care providers in Alaska. This will improve healthcare access and help drive down costs.
• The recommended changes reflect the actual training and qualifications of naturopathic doctors, who graduate from accredited 4-year medical programs with more than 4,000 hours of training and clinical rotations.
• In Alaska, naturopathic doctors have a more limited scope of practice than healthcare providers in Alaska with equal or lesser training. Naturopathic doctors practice safely under the complete scope in many other states — as several of our members have done.
• Allowing naturopathic doctors practice to the full scope of their training lets patients access their medications from their primary care provider without the need for duplicative appointments and costs.
• Alaskans face some of the highest health care costs in the nation, increasing prevalence of chronic and preventable disease, and inadequate access to health care — particularly in rural areas. Passing HB 147 is one step towards addressing these needs.
• Naturopathic doctors’ primary focus is on disease prevention, rather than symptom and medication management. This type of care saves money for consumers, insurers and the state. It also decreases the unnecessary emergency-room visits, frequent med checks and follow-up visits.
• Regulating naturopathic doctors appropriately will encourage more practitioners to move to Alaska and serve Alaskans. Naturopathic doctors already qualify for Indian Health Service’s national loan repayment program aimed to increase access to remote Alaskans, but are unable to make use of this program due to the currently limited scope of practice.

How you can help

Help pass House Bill 147 by writing a letter of support to Rep. Mike Prax in the House Labor and Commerce Committee.

Lawmakers in Juneau want to know that Alaskans support the care HB 147 would enable. The best way to tell them is through a personalized letter detailing your positive experience working with naturopathic doctors. Letters could also include negative experiences, such as having to see multiple providers to get prescriptions when your ND had the training and expertise to help you.

Here is a sample letter for you to adapt:

TO:  Rep. Mike Prax, House Health and Social Services Committee

Re. HB 147

 

My name is [YOUR NAME] and I am writing to urge you to support House Bill 147 (HB 147), which updates the scope of practice for Naturopathic doctors to reflect their education and training.

 

The changes proposed in HB 147 reflect a scope of practice that is being practiced safely and effectively by naturopathic doctors in many other states around the country.  Given our unique healthcare challenges in Alaska, we should be leading the charge in pursuing policies which provide consumers with more options and greater access to affordable care.

 

PATIENTS: I have been receiving care from a naturopathic doctor and my experience has been [insert personal experience here]

PROVIDERS: I have been refering to my naturopathic colleagues, find them to be safe and competent providers. I support allowing them to practice to the full scope of their education, especially in light of Alaska’s ongoing provider shortage. [Insert personal experiences here.]

 

Thank you in advance for your support of HB 147, and for taking one step toward better healthcare in our great state.

 

Sincerely,

 

[YOUR NAME]

Where to send your support letters

Please send email letters of support to Rep. Mike Prax (Representative.Mike.Prax@akleg.gov) — and be sure to put HB 147 in the email title. Please also copy the Alaska Association of Naturopathic Doctors (AlaskaNaturopaths@gmail.com.)

You can also send support letters to key committee members:

House members:

Senate members:

Thank you for your help!

Passing HB 147/SB 193 will broaden the availability of quality healthcare to Alaskans.

Thank you for your support.