Scope of Practice - Naturopathic "Physicians"

21 January 2010
MSV President Daniel Carey, M.D., and MSV lead lobbyist Ann Hughes spoke against HJ 124 before the House Rules Studies subcommittee.  MSV cited the unproven treatment methods used by naturopathic "physicians" and noted that the education and training received by naturopathic "physicians" is not comparable to that of an M.D. or D.O.  The subcommittee incorporated language from another study, HJR 94, also patroned by Del. Kilgore into HJR 124.  After combining the language of the two studies, the subcommittee decided to hold the resolution at that time. The subcommittee may take up HJR 124 again at a later date at its discretion. 

13 January 2010
Del. Terry Kilgore (R-1st District, Gate City) introduced HJ 124, directing the Department of Health Professions to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a pilot program in Virginia's coalfields region that would temporarily allow naturopathic "physicians" to provide preventative medicine and preventative health counseling for adults in southwest Virginia.  MSV opposes this study resolution.

MSV Position

• All Virginians deserve access to high-quality, well trained health care providers. The education and training naturopathic “physicians” receive is neither equivalent nor comparable to the education and training physicians receive, and the licensure of those practitioners will threaten quality of care.
• A primary care physician undergoes 12,000 to 16,000 hours of supervised training as part of a residency program; naturopathic “physicians” have no uniform or mandatory residency training requirements (i.e., undergo 0 hours of residency training.)
• The medical efficacies of the treatment modalities offered by naturopathic “physicians” are unproven.
• Naturopathic “physicians” have no required continuing medical education (CME) requirements; physicians undergo a minimum of 60 hours of CME training every two years.
• Naturopathic “physicians” will not solve access to care issues in rural or underserved areas of Virginia. To even consider naturopathic “physicians” to be a viable option as primary health care providers is inappropriate for the safety and welfare of patients in Virginia.