Apr. 01, 2015
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Curt Sonney (R-Harborcreek) today joined colleagues on the House Professional Licensure Committee in moving to the full House legislation which would require naturopathic physicians to be licensed with the State Board of Medicine.
“The number of people looking outside conventional medicine for answers to problems is rising, and hospitals are continuing to integrate the services of naturopathic doctors into their courses of treatment,” Sonney said. “
House Bill 516, which I am co-sponsoring, would require the physicians to which many individuals turn for answers to be fully licensed with the state. Holding these doctors to a standard similar to that of their colleagues increases patient safety and promotes options in medical care.”
House Bill 516 would establish the Naturopathic Doctors Practice Act and require a license to practice naturopathic medicine. These physicians would have two years after the enactment of the legislation to meet the necessary requirements for licensure.
“Licensees would have to complete 50 hours of continuing education every two years and maintain current CPR certification in order to renew their license,” added Sonney. “Their scope of practice would not permit prescribing or administering prescription drugs, nor would they be allowed to perform surgery. Naturopathic doctors would also be required to refer a patient to a physician when a diagnosis contradicts the practice of naturopathic medicine.
“Naturopathic doctors have achieved an unprecedented level of credibility with their medical counterparts, and naturopathic medicine is endorsed by many teaching hospitals, which require students to do rotations with naturopathic doctors. This bill recognizes a form of medicine which has the capability of complimenting conventional medicine as opposed to challenging its authority.”
Questions about this or any legislative issues may be directed to Sonney’s Corry office at (814) 664-9126, or his Harborcreek office at (814) 897-2080.
Representative Curt Sonney
4th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
slittle@pahousegop.com
RepSonney.com