TAKE ACTION!!!!

Thanks for visiting this page. This page is dedicated to current legislation regarding naturopathic medicine and also areas that surround access to supplements, health care and so on.

I will be changing the topics as different legislation is introduced and calls for support are needed and to update the progress.

One more thing before we get to it. Personal letters make much more of an impact on these changes. So, after you follow these links or read below, please feel free to type up a basic letter that you can send to those who make the decisions.

The support we are asking for currently is below.

Thank you in advance for considering!

LICENSING UPDATE 9/6/2011

Your letters of support are needed!

Although our meetings with representatives and other groups seem to be going well. We still have opposition and will need your experiences to help us out. Your representatives need to know that you want access to naturopathic medicine. There will be a hearing in Harrisburg, in October of 2011, to discuss how licensing may move forward. NOW is the time for your voice to be heard!!!

I hope that you feel naturopathy and access to naturopathic therapies are something you deserve. PA does not currently license naturopathic doctors (ND's). And I feel that for the safety of our community, and other reasons, this needs to change. If you agree, please visit the PANP page link on the left. As naturopathic practitioners, it is very important for us to know that people who seek out and choose to use naturopathic medicine have that choice and more importantly, have access those trained in practicing safely.

If you feel moved to support our effort towards licensing, please see the form below. You can find your local legislatures at the (about the PANP link on the left), scroll to the bottom. The click here link will take you the site where you can put in your zip code to help you know who to send the letter to. Also, we are asking that you send us a copy so we know how many of you are interested in having naturopathic medicine as an option for how your health is considered. You can also email the letter to me at HDeLucaND@mac.com and I will keep a copy on file.

You can copy the letter below but it is much more effective if you use this as a guide and write the reasons you feel that naturopaths should be licensed in the state of Pennsylvania. This can be your experience, the options for treatments using clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, counseling, hydrotherapy, access to safe supplements, trained individuals that understand nutrient/nutrient and nutrient/drug interactions or to help increase your options in health care.

It really won't take much of your time and the benefits are great.

Our current sponsor of this bill is Representative Mustio and co-sponsors include Representatives Maher, Bear, Killion, Cutler, Denlinger, Fleck, Freeman, Geist, Marshall, Mundy, Neuman and White.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks in advance for your support.

Testimony in Support of HB1717

Bill to License Naturopathic Doctors in PA

Date

Address

Dear Chairperson Name and Members of the Subcommittee:

I am writing in regard to HB1717. As a proponent of Naturopathic Medicine, I firmly believe that Naturopathic Medicine is an integral part of a comprehensive healthcare system. As a resident of Pennsylvania, it is important to me that Naturopathic Medicine become licensed so that my family, friends and myself have access to natural medicine provided by trained and qualified naturopathic physicians. I strongly believe in the philosophy and practice of Naturopathic Medicine and believe that people have a freedom of choice, especially when it comes to healthcare. The licensing of Naturopathic Medicine will allow the residents of Pennsylvania and nearby areas access to qualified, clinically trained naturopathic physicians just as the residents of sixteen other states and two territories that currently license naturopathic physicians. With the progression of healthcare moving towards an alternative model, licensing of Naturopathic Medicine will be beneficial to the residents of Pennsylvania for the following reasons:

� Passage of HB1717 will improve the access to natural health care. Naturopathic doctors will be able to practice to the full scope of their training in natural medicine. Consumers will benefit from health promotion and disease prevention by use of natural therapies. In addition to providing consumers with alternatives to conventional medicine, natural medicine is an important part of solving the nation�s healthcare crisis.

� Licensing of naturopathic doctors will improve public safety. Creating new standards will help consumers identify naturopathic doctors who have completed a four-year, graduate level medical school program, passed board exams and who meet federally recognized standards of education and professional accountability.

� Finally, the passing of HB1717 will ensure accountability. Consumers deserve regulatory standards and oversight mechanisms for all primary care providers, including naturopathic doctors.

Please support HB1717 for the benefit of all residents of Pennsylvania and for the residents of neighboring states and areas.

Sincerely,

Your name

Address

UPDATE March 8th 2010:

S. 3002, legislation that would dramatically - and unfavorably - impact consumer access to vitamins, herbs and supplements has lost its champion, Senator John McCain (R-AZ). In a letter dated March 4, Senator Orrin Hatch thanked Senator McCain for withdrawing his support of the original legislation. Senator Hatch will now work with Senator McCain to ensure the 100+million consumers who use supplements can continue to access safe products and FDA has the resources to remove harmful substances. This is a step towards collaboration that could have truly meaningful impact. Full implementation of DSHEA will benefit consumers greatly and represents a step towards changing the health care system from one rooted in disease to one grounded in wellness.

AANP remains vigilant, however. There are many other Members of Congress who would welcome the kinds of changes this bill would require. As long as this bill is alive, it can in part or in its entirety be considered on the Senate floor.

Almost 2500 emails have already been sent to the Senate from the AANP grassroots tool - CapWiz. Thank you to everyone who stepped up and proved we can make a difference! So let's continue our education efforts and make sure that every member of both the Senate and House understand that this is not the bill they should pass. Click here to write your Representative and here if you have not yet contacted your Senators.This is not only for those of you in Pennsylvania. We need people in other states to also speak out against the current bill being proposed that can limit your access to safe and high quality supplements. So, if you think your family, friends in other areas of the United States would want to support this effort, please pass along this link to my website.

Jan 2010:

PROTECT continued access to supplements and prevent the passage of S.3002. McCain/Dorgan legislation in the Senate would cripple the supplement industry by adding requiring virtually every supplement, vitamin and herb to undergo a new FDA review. Click here to write your Senator now.

In addition, we also need your support in helping us make sure that naturopathic medicine is a part of the options when it comes to YOUR health care. It is well known that prevention can save every person money and that natural therapies used treating disease work and make a difference in the lives of people who choose to use them.

The National Governor's Association (NGA) winter meeting is in DC this weekend (February 19-21) and they are taking a radical departure from their standard agenda. Virtually the entire program is rooted in divining opportunity in the face of a health care crises Congress has left in the laps of States. Our Governor's manage the insurance industry, control licensing boards, and are responsible for public health. Promote naturopathic medicine as part of the NGA's developing agenda. Click here to contact your Governor now.

Remember you have a voice and we want you to use, no matter what you support. Thanks for considering.

In health,

Heather