A to become licensed in Missouri passed its first hurdle Wednesday.
The House Professional Registration and Licensing Committee voted 7-2 to advance the bill, sponsored by Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs.
Unlike , Missouri does not have licensing or registration laws for naturopathic doctors, or primary care physicians with a focus on holistic care.
鈥淎s we continue to talk about the need for more access to healthcare in both rural as well as metro contexts, this is an area of medicine that is known to be effective,鈥� Richey . 鈥淭here are other states that have formally recognized it as such.鈥�
In states where the practice of naturopathic medicine is regulated, doctors are required to graduate from accredited four-year residential naturopathic medical programs and pass a postdoctoral board examination in order to receive a license or registration.
搁颈肠丑别测鈥檚 to clarify that naturopathic doctors would only perform minor office procedures, similar to a primary care physician. And they would not be allowed to perform surgeries or prescribe opioids.
A , sponsored by Republican Sen. Nick Schroer of Defiance, has not yet received a public hearing.
The veterans service organization, AMVETS, to Gov. Michael Parson on March 8 urging his support for the bill. Diana Johnson, director of AMVETS in Missouri, said licensed naturopathic doctors are a 鈥渧ital addition鈥� to the program to provide veterans more holistic care.
鈥淯ntil we are able to license these doctors within Missouri, the veterans of our great state will continue to suffer from chronic pain and other ailments,鈥� Johnson said, 鈥渨ithout the full benefits of naturopathic care and the opportunity to be included in the 鈥榃hole Health鈥� program established by the V.A.鈥�
Dr. Emily Hudson, president of the Missouri Society of Naturopathic Physicians, estimates there are currently a dozen or more naturopathic doctors working in Missouri who could be licensed under the proposed legislation鈥檚 prerequisites. And many more would return to Missouri if the bill passes.
Hudson called the committee鈥檚 approval a 鈥渟ignificant milestone鈥� towards offering Missouri residents access to licensed naturopathic doctors and being able to 鈥渋ncorporate safe, effective and naturally focused treatments鈥� into veterans鈥� healthcare.
鈥淭his victory marks a collective effort towards providing comprehensive care,鈥� Hudson said, 鈥渁nd honoring the well-being of those who have served our nation.鈥�
This story was published by The Missouri Independent, part of the States Newsroom.
