[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 221 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 221

    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

                           September 10, 2013

 Ms. Mikulski submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
                             and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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, more than 75 percent of health care costs are due 
        to preventable chronic illnesses, including high blood pressure, which 
        affects 88,000,000 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, and stress can contribute to the 
        development of major illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, 
        depression, and diabetes;
Whereas the aforementioned chronic health conditions are among the most common, 
        costly, and preventable health conditions;
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 focuses 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 that are 
        accredited by agencies approved by the Department of Education;
Whereas aspects of naturopathic medicine have been shown to lower the risk of 
        major illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes;
Whereas naturopathic physicians can help address 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 the profession of naturopathic medicine is dedicated to providing health 
        care to underserved populations; and
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: 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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