By Karen Howard
Have you written to President Obama yet? AANP has nominated Dr. Tara Levy to serve on the Advisory Group for the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council. Who better to assist in the development of policy to transform our current system than a practicing ND? While this may be a long shot, political relationship and a grassroots campaign could make the difference! If you have not yet written, or shared this information with your patients who have amazing stories for the President please do so today.
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By Karen Howard
I’ve always known that the naturopathic profession consists of some of the most compassionate and passionate people in the world. I’ve believed that your commitment to the medicine is a reflection of your commitment to the planet. And I sensed that your desire to practice what you preach is reflected in the way you choose to work – that balance is a key component of health. With the results of our first professional survey, we can now begin to articulate what I think we’ve known all along, and we can begin to see how and what the AANP can do to help ensure the success of the professionals we represent.
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By Karen Howard
The Annual DC FLI is complete, but the work now just begins. If you have ever asked yourself why folks take the time and effort to travel to DC for this event, let me share with you the following. On Tuesday after our annual lobby day, Cassandra Mannhardt, ND, RN, was named to serve on Congressman Robert J. Wittman's Health Care Advisory Council for District One, in Virginia. How do we influence public policy? We stay involved – we keep coming back – and we create relationships.
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By Karen Howard
There has never been a more important time for naturopathic medicine to realize the positive impact of state licensing laws that dictate a full scope of practice for qualified naturopathic doctors. Why? When Congress passed H.R.3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act they included new programs, new regulations, and new opportunities for the expansion of naturopathic medicine. At the upcoming DC FLI, more than 165 physicians, educators and students will pound the halls of Congress to advocate for utilization of ND primary care services.
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By Karen Howard
Health Care/Insurance Reform
Today’s question, much like yesterday’s and tomorrow’s, will Congress approve health care legislation? I think yes – but how it will happen and what it will include remains a mystery. The debate is now reliant upon the parliamentary process itself. This could not be more complex. The defined process for reconciling a budget issue first requires a law having been passed so that there is something to reconcile! That requires the House to trust the Senate and pass their bill on the good faith that a whole package of changes will be favorably considered that “fix” all the objections you have been reading about. And how, it at all, will this impact naturopathic medicine?
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By Karen Howard
AANP members and naturopathic advocates truly step up when it comes to writing Congress - and their state legislators. In a short amount of time, 2000 emails have been written to U.S. Senators asking them to oppose S. 3002, legislation that would severely restrict access to supplements, vitamins and herbs. Thus far, not one Senator has joined on as a co-sponsor to this bill. This is critical since the only way this will move forward is if Senator McCain generates enough support to add this as a floor amendment to some piece of legislation being considered by the Senate.
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By Karen Howard
The challenges we face at the state level reflect the challenges of human nature itself. In order to fully achieve our objectives, we must fully engage. Here at the AANP we are all about providing you the tools to engage your membership, enhance your leadership and inspire your success. On April 30 and May 1 we will hold advanced training for leaders across the county who share a commitment to the advancement of naturopathic medicine.
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By Karen Howard
In the heart of this holiday season and looking forward to the New Year, one must wonder what future Congress is divining as it struggles to reform our current health care system. It is likely that the U.S. Senate will actually complete work on a bill, and equally likely that in a conference with the House of Representatives will result in legislation for the President to sign. And, it is still possible that the legislative process in the Senate will prevent final action and passage, at least before Christmas.
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By Karen Howard
Three things. One, the recently passed House bill includes the entire Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) – legislation that contains a provision that would make naturopathic graduates eligible to participate in the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program. The Senate has not yet taken action on their version of the bill. Two, the Senate Committee on Health, Environment, Labor and Pension (HELP) bill includes a provision for nondiscrimination of health care providers who are licensed in their states.
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By Karen Howard
As of today, 900 people have sent 1900 emails to the U.S. Senate requesting inclusion of nondiscrimination language (contained in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension reform bill) be maintained in the final version of reform legislation. This would prevent insurers from excluding NDs practicing in licensed states from participating in plans created by the government. To write your Senator, please click here – this decision is imminent. Let’s double the number of emails. So why does the AANP take this stand?
Read more.By Karen HowardWith the health care debate at a fever pitch, there is no time like the present for our naturopathic community to unite in voice and action. I am often asked what one person, one doctor, one professional organization can do to impact this Beowulf of an epic legislative battle.
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