[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 10, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6333-S6334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 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

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

                              S. Res. 221

       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

[[Page S6334]]

       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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