License RI Naturopathic Doctors

License Naturopathic Doctors in Rhode Island:

The Rhode Association of Naturopathic Physicians (RIANP) has submitted H5474 and S327, bills to license naturopathic doctors in Rhode Island.  The House Health, Education, and Welfare Committee had its hearing on H5474 in mid-March and the bill was well received by the committee members. Next up will be a bill hearing with the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on S327. This fundraising campaign will enable the RIANP to keep its lobbyist and continue its efforts to license Naturopathic Doctors in RI.

Contact Your Legislators
If you are a Rhode Islander and have not yet written your legislators to urge them to support H5474 and S327, please click the below link to easily generate and send your emails: 
www.naturopathic.org/lac#/51 


7 Reasons to License Naturopathic Doctors in Rhode Island  

Safety: Licensure distinguishes for the general public the NDs who went to naturopathic medical school and are medically trained to serve their patients.  Also, with 1 in 4 Americans using some type of alternative therapy and nutritional supplement, the professional guidance from naturopathic doctors on drug-herb and drug-nutrient interactions can help protect the public from potential harm.

Access: Licensure will help increase Rhode Island residents’ access to naturopathic doctors. Additionally, licensure will enable RI naturopathic doctors to work at community clinics and with underserved communities.

Practicality: Naturopathic doctors are medically trained to diagnose, order and interpret labs, and treat. However, currently NDs in Rhode Island need to refer their patients to a licensed doctor to order laboratory work-ups, which the patient then brings back to his/her naturopathic doctor. This process is expensive and time-consuming for patients.

Health Care Savings:  By addressing chronic diseases via natural medicines and lifestyle counseling, naturopathic doctors help reduce individual and state health care costs.   

Effectiveness: Naturopathic doctors are experts in natural medicine, trained at 4-year post-baccalaureate naturopathic medical schools, accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  The coursework in the first two years of naturopathic medical school is on par with the coursework of 1st and 2nd year MD students. Naturopathic doctors also receive training in nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, mind/body medicine, bodywork, and lifestyle counseling.  The focus of naturopathic medicine is on prevention and supporting the whole body. NDs particularly excel at addressing chronic disease.

Economic Growth & Business Development: There is great economic potential for Rhode Island with the licensure of Naturopathic Doctors.  Integrative medicine is in high demand in the state.  However, access to a doctor with natural and integrative medicine training is extremely limited.  When licensed: Rhode Island will attract more NDs to work here. NDs living here - instead of commuting to licensed CT or licensed MA – will work here in RI.  There will be an increase in naturopathic medical practices as well as the opportunity for integrative medical centers to form.  Rhode Island will become a leader in integrative medicine.

Naturopathic Doctors are licensed in 22 states, districts, and territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii,  Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.

Rhode Island is the only state in New England that does not yet license NDs. Help us to change that!

What is the Money for?
Money raised from this fundraising campaign will be used to support our current legislative efforts to get Rhode Island licensed. We currently have a lobbyist and need to fundraise in order to pay for his critical support and skills. 

Teamwork
We are so grateful and appreciative of your support. Whatever you are able to donate means so much. We could not continue this legislative effort without you. So thank you, thank you, thank you! Please share and spread the word. Ever bit helps!

For more information
Please visit: www.RIANP.org and www.naturopathic.org