Daily Report Blog

The AOA and the Vermont State Association of Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons (VSAOPS) wrote a joint letter to the Chair of the Vermont State House Committee on Health Care on 4/4/12 in opposition to SB 209. This bill would expand the scope of practice for naturopaths beyond their education and training by allowing independent practice without physician supervision.  Health insurers in Vermont would also be required to include naturopaths as primary care providers and referred to them as “naturopathic physicians.”  These sweeping changes would put Vermont patients at risk by elevating naturopaths, without adequate training, to the same level as primary care physicians. Further, the AOA and VSAOPS oppose non-physician clinicians’ use of the title “physician” or “doctor,” as such communication is likely to deceive the public by implying that naturopaths are engaged in the unlimited practice of medicine. ​