Lobbying Efforts Boosting Natural Medicine on Capitol Hill

June 20, 2009

If progress is measured simply as an increase in numbers over time, then the naturopathic medicine profession has much to feel good about in 2009. In May, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) drew more participants, reached more legislative ears and, perhaps most importantly, educated more politicians than ever before at its annual political lobbying event in Washington, D.C. Dubbed DC FLI (or DC Federal Legislative Initiative), the three-day leadership training event attracted more than 130 naturopathic medicine students, faculty members and practitioners who visited the offices of more than 175 lawmakers from 39 states to discuss a range of legislative issues. The lobbying effort not only helped bring out a record congressional crowd to the event's closing reception, but spurred a number of promising political developments for the field of naturopathic medicine.

"We had more than 500 congressional staff members attend our reception this year, which is an exponential growth over previous years and a fantastic turnout," says Karen Howard, executive director of the AANP. "Six years ago we had no presence on Capitol Hill. This year we had seven members of Congress at our reception on a Monday night, which shows how visible we've become and demonstrates the number of people who know about naturopathic medicine is growing."

Among a variety of legislative issues participants discussed with their representatives, the one pushed for most vigorously was H.Con.Res. 58, a resolution worded to express in Congress "the sense that any effort to reengineer the health care system in the United States should incorporate sustainable wellness programs that address the underlying causal factors associated with chronic disease." The resolution already has the support of a number of members of the House of Representatives, with at least three potential sponsors interested in a companion bill in the Senate. While non-binding, the resolution would help give naturopathic medicine a foothold in the ongoing conversation about health care reform, Howard says.

"We've asked for a redefining of what primary care is in this country, and that we be involved in that," she says.

Other legislative issues brought to lawmakers during the lobby event included:

• The Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) Reauthorization of 2009: The AANP is asking that "naturopathic medicine" be added into the definition of health profession in the IHCIA, which would allow NDs to provide care for underserved populations, including Alaska Native and American Indian tribal members.
• House Resolution 1324: This bill would update national public school nutrition standards for junk foods sold on campus. The School Nutrition Association has asked the AANP to be listed as a sponsor of the bill, which would increase the level of awareness of naturopathic medicine to a completely new group of people.
• Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act:  The AANP "strongly opposes" language in the act that would regulate vitamins, minerals and herbs in a way similar to that of prescription drugs, which would subsequently restrict consumer access by increasing costs.

Howard says Congress will likely pass at least some of this legislation before it recesses in August, "but it's basically impossible to tell when something might get done."

"H.Con.Res. 58 seems to have traction, but with a new Supreme Court justice being approved, the economic crisis and huge corporate bankruptcies, small legislation tends to get left by the side," she says. "We're working very hard to hold open the space for this conversation. What we do know is we will need to be speaking together collectively, with other groups that share our values, for quite some time to come."

While it's not certain the recent lobbying effort will translate into legislative progress anytime soon, it is certain such events are important for increasing awareness of naturopathic medicine and training future advocates for the profession. Anna Evershed, a recent graduate of Bastyr's naturopathic medicine program and the University's former AANP student representative, was one of a group of Bastyr students, faculty and alumni who made the trip to D.C. Having attended the event the last three years, she's seen Bastyr attendance jump from only three students two years ago to 31 in 2009.

"It's exciting to see students on their first trip to the DC FLI all fired up about the legislative process and seeing that they can instigate change," Evershed says. "It is empowering to walk into your representative's office as a constituent and be heard. I feel like the type of legislation we're advocating puts us, as naturopathic physicians, in a good position because what we are really asking for are changes to health care based on wellness and prevention. Legislators see that and realize we have some valuable expertise on the subject of health care." 

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