[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 135 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 135

    Designating the week of October 7 through October 13, 2013, as 
 ``Naturopathic Medicine Week'' to recognize the value of naturopathic 
   medicine in providing safe, effective, and affordable health care.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 9, 2013

Ms. Mikulski submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Designating the week of October 7 through October 13, 2013, as 
 ``Naturopathic Medicine Week'' to recognize the value of naturopathic 
   medicine in providing safe, effective, and affordable health care.

Whereas, in the United States, 75 percent of all health care spending is for the 
        treatment of preventable chronic illnesses, including high blood 
        pressure, which affects 68,000,000 people in the United States, and 
        diabetes, which affects 26,000,000 people in the United States;
Whereas nearly two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese 
        and, consequently, at risk for serious health conditions, such as high 
        blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and 
        depression;
Whereas 70 percent of people in the United States experience physical or 
        nonphysical symptoms of stress, which can contribute to chronic health 
        conditions, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes;
Whereas the aforementioned health conditions are among the most preventable 
        health conditions and are especially responsive to the preventive, 
        whole-person approach favored by naturopathic medicine;
Whereas naturopathic medicine provides noninvasive, holistic treatments that 
        support the inherent self-healing capacity of the human body and 
        encourage self-responsibility in health care;
Whereas naturopathic medicine reduces health care costs because of its focus on 
        patient-centered care, the prevention of chronic illnesses, and early 
        intervention in the treatment of chronic illnesses;
Whereas naturopathic physicians attend 4-year, graduate level programs with 
        rigorous admission requirements at institutions that are recognized by 
        the Department of Education;
Whereas naturopathic physicians are especially skilled in treating chronic 
        illnesses, such as diabetes, asthma, autoimmune disorders, and 
        gastrointestinal disorders, because of their focus on whole-body 
        medicine rather than symptom management;
Whereas naturopathic physicians are trained to serve as primary care physicians 
        and can help redress the shortage of primary care providers in the 
        United States;
Whereas naturopathic physicians are trained to refer patients to conventional 
        physicians and specialists when necessary;
Whereas patients of naturopathic physicians report higher patient satisfaction 
        and health improvement than patients of conventional medicine;
Whereas the profession of naturopathic medicine is dedicated to providing health 
        care to underserved populations;
Whereas naturopathic medicine provides consumers in the United States with more 
        choice in health care, in line with the increased use of a variety of 
        integrative medical treatments; and
Whereas the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148; 124 
        Stat. 119) requires that insurers include and reimburse licensed health 
        care providers, including naturopathic physicians, in health insurance 
        plans: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the week of October 7 through October 13, 
        2013, as ``Naturopathic Medicine Week'';
            (2) recognizes the value of naturopathic medicine in 
        providing safe, effective, and affordable health care; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to learn 
        about naturopathic medicine and the role that naturopathic 
        physicians play in preventing chronic and debilitating 
        illnesses and conditions.
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