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Minutes for SB274 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Amending the scope of practice, discipline by the board, and license renewal procedures for naturopathic doctors.
Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 9, 2022
Chairperson Hilderbrand opened the hearing on SB274.
Jenna Moyer, Staff Revisor gave an overview of the bill. She answered questions from committee members.
Dr. Laura Rues, ND spoke in support of SB274. She said that SB274 includes proposed legislation that seeks to update areas in current statutes that allow for interpretive confusion, update disciplinary statutes and includes scope expansion for naturopathic doctors including prescriptive authority for legend drugs and testosterone. She urged support for SB274 so that naturopathic doctors can be part of the healthcare solution in Kansas. Naturopathic doctors have the training, the ability and the desire to provide care for patients in Kansas who struggle to have their current healthcare needs met. (Attachment 1)
She answered questions from committee members.
Rachelle Colombo testified in opposition of SB274. She stated that SB274 would allow an untrained naturopath to prescribe prescription-only drugs and controlled substances, provide obstetrical care, perform "minor" office procedures without defining such procedures and the limitations of their scope and would allow them to perform invasive procedures and examinations. Naturopaths do not have any training or basis to provide these services. She said SB274 is negligent and inconsistent on several fronts and needs much more study and discussion. (Attachment 2)
She took questions from committee members.
Written only, opponent testimony was submitted by:
Vicki Whitaker, Exec. Dir., Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine (Attachment 3)
J. Peter Rubin, MD, President, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (Attachment 4)
Written only, neutral testimony was submitted by:
Susan Gile, Acting Executive Director, Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (Attachment 5)
Chairperson Hilderbrand closed the hearing on SB274.
