Kansas politicians are entering a debate that divides traditional mainstream doctors from alternative and holistic medicine practitioners.
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee last week passed SB 274, which amends the scope of practice, board discipline, and license renewal procedures for naturopathic physicians, and SB 275, which allows naturopathic physicians to practice medicine in corporations. A public hearing was held regarding the issue.
Both bills were introduced in February 2021 at the request of Sen. Molly Baumgardner (R-Lewisburg).
“Naturopathy physicians are in high demand in Kansas,” said Laura Roos, president of the Kansas Association of Naturopathic Physicians and a practicing physician in Overland Park. “We have a medical shortage right now. It’s gotten worse over the last two years.”
The Healing Arts Commission reported that there are 47 licensed naturopathic physicians in Kansas.
Bill would lift restrictions on naturopathic practitioners
Naturopathy, as defined by state law, is a system of medicine that uses natural medicines and therapies to help the body heal itself. Practitioners are not doctors. They are restricted from prescribing certain medications, performing diagnostic tests, and performing certain procedures, including obstetric care.
The bill seeks to change that. Mr Roos argued that naturopathic doctors already have the necessary training.
“We as naturopathic doctors want and want to be involved in patient care in Kansas,” she said. “We’re asking you to be part of the solution.”
“We have philosophical differences,” said Rachel Colombo, president of the Kansas Medical Society. “We fundamentally believe that training and education are important and that they make a difference in patient care.”
The Kansas Medical Association opposes the bill, saying it would lead to substandard patient care by untrained practitioners. Colombo said the bill does not require naturopathic doctors to notify patients that they are not doctors or to carry malpractice insurance.
“This is a question of whether they are allowed to work in the medical field,” she says.
Naturopathic physicians are required to carry professional liability insurance under Statute 65-7217.
Kansas senator asks whether doctors are overtrained
Sen. Mark Steffen (R-Hutchinson), an anesthesiologist, confirmed he is under investigation by the health committee in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.
“Is there any discussion in academia at this point that the majority of doctors are overtrained?” Stephen asked Colombo. “Because they’re basically all trained and on track to be researchers, and the vast majority of them never go on to go into research.
“And they end up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, angry, disillusioned, disillusioned, and at a competitive disadvantage against other providers. The academic ivory tower. Is there any discussion about that in the world?”
“No, my doctor has never told me that I feel overtrained,” Colombo said. “They take their jobs very seriously and say their first few years on the job are often terrifying because they hold the weight of someone’s life in their hands. ”
Colombo said most doctors go to school and work for years because they feel a calling.
“Right now, do they feel like they’re in huge debt and that it’s difficult in this environment for a variety of reasons? Yes, they certainly are,” she said. “But I don’t believe that doctors practice just to make money.”
This article has been updated to correct that naturopathic physicians must carry malpractice insurance.
Jason Tidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital Journal. He can be reached by email at jtidd@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jason Tidd.
