Res. No. 2051

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.1370/S.1930, legislation that would regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine by requiring practicing naturopathic physicians to be licensed in New York State.

By Council Members Dickens, Jackson, James and Reyna

                     Whereas, Naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the body can heal itself naturally, and this practice attempts to improve health, prevent disease, and treat illness by promoting the use of organic foods, exercise and, overall, encouraging a healthy, balanced lifestyle; and

                     Whereas, Naturopathic physicians use a variety of natural and noninvasive therapies, including clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, counseling and hydrotherapy, while attempting to limit dependency on prescribed medicines or surgery; and

                     Whereas, According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), licensing laws for naturopathic physicians exist in fifteen states as well as Washington, D.C., the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, while naturopathy licensing requirement legislation is currently pending in five additional states; and

                     Whereas, Some states that do not require naturopathic physicians to be licensed undermine the legitimacy of the practice of naturopathy by allowing individuals to practice who may have only taken brief correspondence courses, short seminars, or attended schools that give credit for life experience but which do not require intensive clinical training; and

                     Whereas, Currently, New York State does not license naturopathic physicians this time and as a result, individuals are able to use the title Naturopath or ND, even if they have not been trained by accredited schools, do not hold any recognized license or are unable to qualify for licensure; and

Whereas, In recognition of this problem, A.1370/S.1930, legislation currently pending in the New York State Legislature, could provide many benefits to residents of New York State, including improved access to qualified naturopathic physicians, expanded services that naturopathic physicians are trained to provide and an increased likelihood that insurance coverage will be made available for naturopathic care; and

Whereas, According to the AANP, legislation requiring naturopathic physicians to be licensed would help patients distinguish properly trained naturopathic physicians from lesser-trained individuals who may present a danger to the public; and

Whereas, Under this proposed legislation, in order to be a licensed naturopathic physician in New York State, such physicians would be subject to the same requirements imposed upon naturopathic physicians in other states, including requiring that the practitioner received a degree from a federally accredited naturopathic medical school, which ensures that the individual’s studies included a curriculum of current medical science and traditional naturopathic theory, and that he or she passed the naturopathic board exams; and

Whereas, This legislation would further enhance the practice of naturopathy by establishing a state board for naturopathic medicine and require that naturopaths fulfill continuing competency requirements; and

Whereas, The legislation would also require that naturopaths report suspected cases of child abuse; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.1370/S.1930, legislation that would regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine by requiring practicing naturopathic physicians to be licensed in New York State.

LS# 7546

6/17/09

MF/JM