[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6659]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 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

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

                              S. Res. 135

       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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