HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6523

BYSenators Kiskaddon, Kreidler, Williams and Bauer

Permitting naturopaths to continue manual manipulation.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Bristow, Brooks, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lewis, Lux, D. Sommers, Sprenkle and Vekich.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE FEBRUARY 23, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Naturopathy is a licensed health care profession with a scope of practice which includes the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disorders by stimulations or support of the natural processes of the human body, and includes manual manipulation.  Manual manipulation (mechanotherapy) is defined as manipulation of a part or the whole of the body by hand or by mechanical means.

In 1983, the Legislature placed the 1919 Drugless Healing (naturopathy) Licensure Act under the Sunset Act for review, and in 1987 the Legislature reauthorized the practice of naturopathy.  However, manual manipulation (mechanotherapy) was prohibited after June 30, 1988 subject to a study of whether it should be continued or modified.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The termination date of June 30, 1988 for the practice of manual manipulation within the naturopathic scope of practice is repealed.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Naturopaths may not describe naturopathic services as chiropractic.  The State Health Coordinating Council shall conduct a study on naturopathic qualifications to practice manual manipulation and report to the Legislature by January 1, 1989 on its findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 27, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Kiskaddon, Sponsor; Jeff Larsen, Washington State Association of Naturopathic Physicians; Dr. Dan Labriola, Washington State Association of Naturopathic Physicians; Dr. Joe Rizzorno, John Bastyr College.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Dr. Jeff Finnigan, Chiropractic Society of Washington; Ray Shindler, Chiropractic Society of Washington.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Naturopaths have been licensed to perform mechanotherapy since 1919, and most employ this modality in connection with their practice today.  There have not been disciplinary problems reported to the Department of Licensing.  The public should have the freedom to choose naturopaths in the spectrum of health care providers.  Naturopaths have at least 340 hours of specific training in this modality.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Naturopaths have little training in manual manipulation compared to other health practitioners, including chiropractors.  Their diagnostic capabilities for spinal pathology are quite limited.