HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1228

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care & Wellness

Title: An act relating to naturopathic physicians.

Brief Description: Regarding naturopathic physicians.

Sponsors: Representatives Green, Jinkins, Schmick, Hinkle and Appleton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 1/26/11, 2/10/11 [DPS].

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Jinkins, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clibborn, Green, Kelley, Moeller and Van De Wege.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey and Harris.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

Naturopathic medicine is the art and science of the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disorders of the body through the natural processes of the body. Naturopathic medicine includes:

• manipulation (mechanotherapy);

• the prescription, dispensing, and use of nutrition and food science;

• physical modalities; i.e., the use of physical, chemical, electrical, and other noninvasive modalities such as heat, cold air, light, water in any of its forms, sound, massage, and therapeutic exercise;

• minor office procedures;

• homeopathy;

• naturopathic medicines;

• hygiene and immunization;

• nondrug contraceptive devices;

• common diagnostic procedures; and

• suggestion.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

Naturopaths are no longer limited to noninvasive physical modalities and nondrug

contraceptive devices. Instead, naturopaths are authorized to use:

• physical modalities that do not exceed the physical modalities used on the effective date of the act in minor office procedures or common diagnostic procedures; and

• contraceptive devices.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill limits "physical modalities" to those that do not exceed the physical modalities used as of the effective date of the section in minor office procedures or common diagnostic procedures.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill is not intended to drastically increase the scope of practice for naturopaths. Removing the word "nondrug" from "contraceptive devices" will help naturopaths keep up with technology; e.g., drug-infused intrauterine devices. Removing the word "noninvasive" is emotionally charged, but almost everything a naturopath does is, by definition, invasive; e.g., blood draws, injections, and oral inspections. This bill does not allow naturopaths to perform surgery — a naturopath's current scope of practice is limited to minor office procedures and diagnostic procedures.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Green, prime sponsor; and Dr. Doug Lewis and Terry Kohl, Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.