HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1650

BYRepresentatives Brekke, Hine, Lux, Nelson and Holland

Permitting naturopaths to continue manual manipulation.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (8)

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

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Day, Vice Chair.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE JANUARY 26, 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:

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termination date of June 30, 1988 for the practice of manual manipulation within the naturopathic scope of practice is repealed.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 22, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Dan Labriola, President, Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians; Jeff Larsen, Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians; Dr. Pizzorno, John Bastyr College; Connie Roth, Department of Licensing (was present to answer questions only); Deanna Murray; Jean Christensen; and Dana Burgy.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

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.