Los Angeles Times Examines Effort To Allow Naturopathic Practitioners To Perform Some Procedures
The Los Angeles Times yesterday examined an effort by naturopathic practitioners in California to be licensed by the state to offer medical services that they currently cannot provide. The lobbying effort by naturopathic practitioners comes as the Assembly next month will consider a bill (SB 907), which was recently passed by the Senate, that would allow the practitioners to diagnose medical conditions, perform minor surgeries, write prescriptions, order laboratory tests and perform deliveries. Licensing by the state would allow naturopathic practitioners who have completed four years of graduate study at accredited naturopathic colleges and have taken national licensing exams to be "distinguish[ed]" from other naturopathic providers, the Times reports. Supporters of the legislation say consumers would benefit because "they are going to seek out these complementary and alternative services anyway." However, the California Medical Association opposes the bill because it would allow naturopathic doctors -- who the CMA maintains are unqualified to perform some duties of a traditional primary-care physician -- to be primary-care providers (Roan, Los Angeles Times, 6/23).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.