The Coalition for Natural Health




		How can traditional naturopaths protect themselves? First, help to kill any bill to license naturopathic physicians BEFORE it is signed into law, preferably while in committee. That would keep true naturopathy in the public domain. Second, do not support ANY bill that would institute licensure. Even if true naturopaths write and submit their own bill, the door will be opened for many undesirable possibilities. With any bill there is the danger of: Amendment. A bill that is signed into law is often vastly different from the bill that was originally introduced. By the time it has gone through committees and both houses of the legislature, it may not even resemble its former self. Monopoly. Licensure laws define a scope of practice and specify the requirements that must be met for licensure. Any person whose credentials and/or methods do not fit the letter of the law will be forced out of practice or made into a criminal. The profession will fall into the hands of a few, and they may not include yours. Government Control. Passage of a naturopathic law would create the need for a regulatory agency whose membership would be appointed, probably by the governor or other state official. There is no guarantee that this agency would include any traditional naturopaths. The Allopathic Model. While health care alternatives are becoming more accepted, in the United States most people see the allopathic model as the highest and best approach to health care. Few people understand the theories and philosophy that uphold traditional naturopathy. Many will assume that the naturopaths whose education and methods for practice most closely resemble those of allopathic physicians will be the most qualified. These practitioners are NOT the true naturopaths. Third, continue to practice as a traditional naturopath, neither diagnosing illness nor prescribing medications, but instead teaching your clients how to create good health in their own bodies. In this way, you are practicing education, not medication. You are helping people become healthy and stay healthy. And you are striking a blow for freedom of choice in health care. Fourth, CNH constantly monitors states for new legislation on naturopathy. If a bill is introduced in your state, we can provide advice on how to help you protect true naturopathy. What's wrong with the AANP? In spite of their rhetoric and their efforts to present themselves just like allopathic doctors, only better, there are many problems associated with the AANP and its brand of naturopathic medicine. For example: The AANP claims to promote freedom of choice in health care, but when it comes to naturopathy, the only freedom it would allow is the freedom to choose its own naturopathic "physicians." The goal of the AANP is for its doctors to function as primary care naturopathic "physicians" include practicing minor surgery, using X-rays, and prescribing legend drugs, all currently reserved for allopathic physicians. However, the training in these modalities which is available at AANP schools cannot match the training required for allopaths, especially if you consider the years of internship and residency. The AANP sanctions the use of childhood vaccinations. The AANP approves of naturopathic "physicians" using allopathic-type antibiotics in certain situations. According to the AANP definition of naturopathic medicine, naturopathic practice should include prescribing "medicines of mineral, animal, and botanical origin." It should also include performing "minor surgery." In at least one state, medicines that a naturopath may prescribe include erythromycin, Penicillins, Streptomycins, and Tetracyclines. The AANP considers any surgery that doesn't enter a body cavity to be minor surgery. A recent president of the AANP stated that minor surgery may include such procedures as skin biopsies, hemorrhoid operations, and vasectomies. In a report to the Nebraska senate, the Nebraska Director of Health said, "There has been no compelling evidence that the credentialing of naturopathic physicians is necessary in order to protect public health, or that it could be done without harming public health." Today, if a naturopathic "physician" practices according to the goals of the AANP, he or she can rightfully be accused of practicing medicine without a license. Traditional naturopaths must fight to keep it that way. The thousands of true naturopaths who practice in the United States would not benefit from having a naturopathic licensure law. The allopathic primary health care system would not benefit from having a naturopathic licensure law. The public would not benefit from having a naturopathic licensure law. No one would benefit -- except for the small number of AANP naturopaths and their own small special interest group. Together, they are pushing for naturopathic licensure simply to establish a highly profitable monopoly. They must not succeed! What is a Traditional Naturopath? What a true naturopath does NOT do Allopathic naturopathy & its results Facts about licensure The truth about "grandfathering"
		© Copyright 2007 Coalition for Natural Health

How can traditional naturopaths protect themselves?

What's wrong with the AANP?

They must not succeed!