FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1535

                         C 133 L 97

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Declaring a naturopath a health care practitioner for certain purposes.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by  Representatives Sherstad, Cody, Dyer, Murray, Cooke, O'Brien, Cooper, Wolfe, Cole, Veloria, Butler, Ogden, Anderson, Mason and Van Luven).

House Committee on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:  Health care assistants are individuals who assist health care practitioners and health facilities specified by law in providing health services to patients.   Physicians, osteopathic physicians, podiatrists, nurses and advanced registered nurse practitioners, as well as hospitals and nursing homes, may certify to the Department of Health the use of individuals as health care assistants.

Health care assistants are registered with the department for inclusion under the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

Health care assistants may administer injections when supervised by a health care practitioner who is physically present and immediately available.

Practitioners of naturopathic medicine or naturopathy are not authorized by law to certify and use health care assistants.  The practice of naturopathy includes the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the body by stimulating the natural processes of the body.  Naturopaths may administer injections for immunization, blood withdrawal, and vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Summary:  Licensed naturopaths are included among the health care practitioners who may certify an individual as a health care assistant.

Votes on Final Passage:

House940

Senate480

Effective:July 27, 1997