Current Efforts


	Current Efforts The bill has been carefully crafted with input from our members, board and legislative committee, as well as national experts on licensure, lawyers and legislators. The bill stands at the door of both the Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committees. We anticipate that the bill will pass the Senate committee very soon, as it has been approved by that committee every year for the past 5 years. It will then move on to the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Floor between now and June 2012. In the Assembly, the bill awaits approval by the committee chair to be voted on by the 25 members of the committee by June 2012. The NYANP would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who have already contributed time, energy and financial support. Please contact the NYANP with any questions, concerns or to assist in the legislative effort at assistant@nyanp.org. Naturopathic Licensing bills in New York State Senate: S1803 Assembly: A3057A Here's what you can do to be a part of licensing NDs in NY Write your legislators. It is easy! We have a letter writing tool, called Capwiz, on our website that simply requires that you enter your New York address. There is a sample letter all ready for you to use. You can even add your own language if you like. Ask your family and friends to use Capwiz too. Go to Capwiz now! Let us know when you hear back from your legislators. Email assistant@nyanp.org. Put a web sticker on your website. You can put a link on your website that brings people to the NYANP website. Click here for instructions. Join the VIP Program. The Very Important Participant Program is a group of supporters who are ready to email/fax/call legislators when the time is right. Please email assistant@nyanp.org if you are interested. Come to Lobby Day! Click for more information. Find out who your legislators are...click here and scroll down to enter your address. Visit your legislators in person. Let us know if you would like to visit your legislators in person so we can help you. Email assistant@nyanp.org. Cultivate relationships. Since it seems that everybody knows somebody in NY; we need to know who you know. What connections do you have to the New York State Legislature? Email assistant@nyanp.org. Build our membership. Please ask every New Yorker you know to join the NYANP as a supporting member. Go to the membership page. Contribute to the NYANP. Did you know that 100% of our board members contribute to the NYANP? One member has given $22,000! Other members are contributing $10 a month, not to mention their time and energy. What is it worth to see New York get a proper ND licensing law? Go to the contribution page. How will New Yorkers benefit from a license? New Yorkers will have access to naturopathic medicine by qualified NDs. Naturopathic Doctors will be able to offer more services, the services they are trained to provide: perform exams, order lab tests, diagnose conditions, implement treatment and prevent disease. New Yorkers will be able to easily identify Naturopathic Doctors with physician level training. Public safety will be ensured by requiring NDs to meet rigorous educational standards and to pass national board exams. There is a greater likelihood that insurance coverage will be made available for Naturopathic care. What will the licensure bill do? Licensure will provide New Yorkers with safe and effective natural medicine by licensed naturopathic doctors. The licensure bill will protect the public by defining educational standards, scope of practice and professional oversight for naturopathic doctors. The bill will clarify the use of the title "Naturopathic Doctor". It does NOT impact the practice of other providers. It will allow naturopathic doctors to provide the services they are trained to provide after completing a four-year, residential doctorate program at a naturopathic medical school The bill will require graduation from a CNME (Council on Naturopathic Medical Education) accredited four-year naturopathic medical school and passing the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX). Licensure will make if possible for New Yorkers to know that when they choose to see a naturopathic doctor, they are choosing a professional who meets the federally recognized standards and the requirements set by the state of New York. The bill will NOT prevent any licensed or unlicensed practitioners from practicing within the scope of their license or training. Licensing NDs will NOT limit access to herbs and supplements. Limited access comes from governmental regulations. How will licensing NDs improve public Licensure ensures that naturopathic doctors have graduated from accredited, four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical programs, passed board exams and meet continuing educational requirements Naturopathic doctors are trained to understand both natural and conventional therapies, thus assisting other practitioners and the patient in the safe use of natural medicines. Naturopathic doctors are trained in differential diagnosis and can make a referral to the appropriate medical specialist for further care when necessary. Licensed naturopathic doctors are accountable to a state regulatory agency, ensuring high standards of care and safe practice. What is a Naturopathic Doctor? Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are trained as general practitioners who specialize in natural health care. NDs treat the whole person by addressing the underlying cause, educating and empowering the individual, preventing disease, and optimizing health and wellness. Find out more by going to the Naturopathic Medicine page.