ISMS Successfully Stops Naturopaths’ Proposal to Become Licensed as Physicians!
February 25, 2022
Under a flawed proposal, naturopaths were seeking to provide a full range of naturopathic “medicine” to patients in Illinois, including caring for children and those with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cancer. Naturopaths also wanted to be allowed to provide specialty care, such as gynecological services.
In addition, the proposed legislation would have allowed naturopaths to offer most medical services provided by medical doctors, including ordering labs; prescribing controlled substances, including Schedule II drugs; and providing invasive diagnostic procedures.
Due to the hard work of your legislative team and the hundreds of messages ISMS members sent to their lawmakers, the bill is not expected to advance out of the Senate.
The bill would have put Illinois patients at risk for adverse outcomes because:
- The education and training of naturopaths does not sufficiently prepare them to provide medical care and is NOT similar to that of a medical doctor.
- Naturopathic education focuses much of its attention on botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy and counseling – with no consistent application of evidenced-based principles and scientific study for naturopathic treatments.
- The mechanism of action and the efficacy of many naturopathic treatment modalities are not scientifically supported, yet they continue to be offered to patients.
- There is no residency program that naturopaths are required to complete. They simply complete limited clinical hours, which only entails observing other naturopaths.
Naturopaths do not have the sufficient scientific training to provide safe and effective medical care.
If you have questions, please contact ISMS Senior Vice President of State Legislative Affairs Erin O'Brien by email.