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California 13th State to License NDs
We are thrilled to announce that on September 22, 2003, Governor Gray Davis signed into law SB 907, the Naturopathic Doctors Licensing Act, making California the 13th state to license naturopathic doctors. This new law will greatly expand consumer access to natural medicine as well as allow us to expand the services offered at SOMA Acupuncture and Natural Health Clinic.
First, some background: SB 907 was sponsored by the California Association of Naturopathic Physicians (CANP), and authored by Potrero Hill's own Senator John Burton. As one of the founders of the CANP, Carl Hangee-Bauer, ND, LAc has been actively involved in a number of legislative campaigns over the years to license NDs in California. This uphill battle has been going on for well over 10 years, and during this time the CANP has been successful in educating state legislators about the naturopathic medical profession and its benefits for Californians. With Senator Burton's strong support, SB 907 swiftly passed all committees and both Assembly and Senate floors.
Specialists in Natural Medicine
Naturopathic doctors are trained at accredited four-year naturopathic medical schools and licensed as primary care providers in 12 U.S. states, including most of the western states. NDs are educated as general practitioners who specialize in natural medicine and focus on prevention and treatment of disease, and use a variety of treatment modalities such as nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and lifestyle counseling to restore and maintain good health. NDs can perform complete physical examinations including women's health exams and can order laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging. To become licensed, NDs must also pass a rigorous board examination to show competency to practice.
The Naturopathic Doctors Licensing Act takes effect on January 1, 2004, though it will most likely be the end of the year before the first licenses are issued. Presently there are over 100 NDs in California who will be eligible for licensure, and it is projected that as many as several hundred more from neighboring states will apply and move to California in the first year or two of licensing. This will significantly increase access and choice for consumers who want to integrate natural medicine into their personal health care.
Insurance Coverage of Naturopathic Medicine
First of all, SB 907 should open the door to insurance coverage of more services than the limited coverage provided to us as licensed acupuncturists. In fact, one large insurer is poised to begin covering naturopathic medicine just as soon as possible.
At SOMA Acupuncture & Natural Health Clinic, the passage of SB 907 will allow us to greatly expand our services to the community. We are exploring bringing complete women's health care services on board including gynecological examinations and testing as well as use of natural hormones. We will also have the ability to give B12 shots as well as run nutrient IVs for those with chronic fatigue, cancer and other acute and chronic health problems. We will have more options for natural medical treatments and procedures than before, including expanded laboratory testing. The list of possibilities goes on, and we are beginning early planning to be ready to implement services once licensing occurs.
We will keep you updated on our plans and progress as we move forward, and look forward to expanding your access to natural and integrated health care.
Naturopathic Medicine By the Numbers
13 Number of States that license naturopathic doctors: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Montana, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Kansas and California. (NDs are also licensed in Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.)
1365 Approximate number of naturopathic doctors licensed in the United States in 2000.
2500 Approximate number of licensable naturopathic doctors in the US. (Some practice in unlicensed states.).
4 Number of accredited naturopathic medical colleges in the US. This will surely grow with California's new law.
1386 Student enrollment at colleges of naturopathic medicine in 2000-2001. Naturopathic medicine is an emerging health profession experiencing rapid growth and recognition by state legislatures.
4400 Total number of class and clinic hours required for graduation with an ND degree from Bastyr University.
101 Current membership in the California Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
200 Estimated number of ND licenses to be issued in the first year of the new California licensing statutes.
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SOMA Acupuncture & Natural Health Clinic
Carl Hangee-Bauer, ND, LAc
1615 20th St • San Francisco CA 94107 • 415-643-6600
Website: www.SOMAacupuncture.com
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Naturopathic Medicine • Acupuncture • Herbal Medicine • Supplements
Nutrition • Women's Health • Weight Loss • Breast Thermography
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