Naturopaths seek prescriptive authority
Last legislative session, the profession of naturopathy introduced legislation to authorize naturopaths to prescribe prescription‐only drugs, including controlled substances and to authorize those in the profession to conduct the required school health assessments. The bills did not pass. Already this year another bill has been introduced to allow naturopaths to administer immunizations.Naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) emphasize diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and other therapies to enhance treat patients. Naturopaths were first regulated by the state of Kansas in 2002, when they were granted registration status after a lengthy and detailed legislative process. Naturopaths are now licensed in Kansas. There are approximately 20 naturopaths practicing in Kansas.
KMS believes that current and recent naturopathy legislation goes well beyond what we believe their education and training would justify. We will continue to communicate with legislators that naturopathic training programs do not contain nearly enough depth, breadth and clinical exposure to warrant the expanded scope of practice which they are seeking.
