MSND LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

A new legislative session has begun and we have filed identical bills in both the House and the Senate for licensing naturopathic doctors in Massachusetts. We made great progress during the last session and we hope to build on that momentum by broadening our base of support across the state and on Beacon Hill!

History:
In the spring of 2000 the Joint Committee on Health Care recommended a special commission be established to study and advise it on the licensing of naturopathic practitioners.  Legislation to establish the Special Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine was then included as part of the FY01 budget.  This Special Commission met for 15 months to assess the need for licensing naturopathic doctors.

The majority report of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, signed on January 15, 2002, recommends licensing of naturopathic doctors in Massachusetts and includes the following points:

• “the majority of the Commission has concluded that state licensure of practitioners of naturopathic medicine is both appropriate and necessary for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare.
• those practitioners who are unqualified and delivering substandard care pose a threat to public safety and welfare.
• the Commission agrees that a distinction between those educated at accredited universities and those who obtain their training through correspondence courses should be made.”

In December 2003, our bill passed favorably out the Joint Committee on Health Care.

In the Spring of 2004, we garnered the support of nearly 80 state representatives who signed onto a letter in support of our bill.

In July 2004 our bill passed favorably out of the House Ways and Means Committee. The legislative session ended before we could advance any further.

It takes time, money, energy and a lot of hard work to get a law passed. You can be part of this process by making a donation, becoming a member and contacting your legislator. Thanks for doing your part!