Study of naturopathic "physicians" carried over

3 March 2010

On Feb. 26, HJ 124, the study resolution that would have authorized the Joint Commission on Health Care to study the feasibility and effectiveness of a pilot program to temporarily allow naturopaths to provide preventative health counseling for adults in the area of preventative medicine in southwest Virginia, was "carried over" for the year at the request of the patron, Del. Terry Kilgore (R-1st District, Gate City). On Feb. 23 at a subcommittee hearing on HJ 124 where MSV President Daniel Carey, M.D. and MSV Vice President Russell Libby, M.D. spoke in opposition to the study, it was not favorably recommended by the subcommittee. The motion to "carry over" HJ 124 means that the Rules Committee may take action on the measure anytime between now and Dec. 2, although it is unlikely that it will do so. In the interim, MSV has begun internal discussions on what MSV can do to help address access to care issues for patients in underserved areas to address legislators' concerns for their constituents.