A word from the AANP regarding NDs and Health Care Reform

News From The Office
A Naturopathic Remedy For Health Care Reform
By Karen Howard

With the health care debate at a fever pitch, there is no time like the present for our naturopathic community to unite in voice and action. I am often asked what one person, one doctor, one professional organization can do to impact this Beowulf of an epic legislative battle.

My answer is thus. Stay alert, stay positioned, be nimble in your views and your response. There is no doubt that enactment of insurance reform is treating a symptom of this disease-based system. And yet, you often remind me that alleviating symptoms is often required in order to get to the underlying cause of illness. Here are some key data points for the journey to passage:

In order to keep the government running, Congress must either complete work on 8 more appropriations bills or enact a Continuing Resolution by September 30.

In the Senate, two massive bills from the Senate HELP Committee and the Finance Committee must be finalized and reconciled. Add in three more bills from the House. Time is running out for this year’s session.

The Governors have much at stake. Negotiations around the inevitable expansion of Medicaid beneficiaries, and state costs, the implication for existing state mandates and the inclusion of licensed providers (including NDs), not to mention a new push for Governor’s to enact Tort Reform legislation are critical to passage.

The process for passage, and the ability for the Democrats to maintain the right number of votes, will result in some amazing and complicated parliamentary process and voter confusion.

Inclusion of NDs in any final bill hinges on Senator Ted Kennedy’s replacement, Senator Tom Harkin the new Chair of the Senate HELP Committee and strong advocate for our issues. Sen. Harkin is still working to include ALL licensed providers in whatever the program becomes.

AANP is advocating daily (write your Member of Congress today), updating regularly (click here to find out the latest on our federal legislative efforts [member's only page]), and pursuing every option to expansion of naturopathic medicine through loan repayment programs, student scholarship opportunities, the future “technical amendment” opportunities that will rapidly appear. Congress has initiated a process for achieving wellness.

I ask that you support that process today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes to make the system whole. Our grandchildren’s grandchildren are depending on us.

Senator Monnes-Anderson reminds NDs to make sure they're at the health reform table, or they may go hungry.

First of all, congratulations to NCNM for opening the largest natural medicine clinic in Portland; you can read all about it here. It was a lovely opening and the speakers were inspiring, however none so much as Senator Monnes-Anderson who was a champion for the ND Formulary Bill (SB 327) this past session and even continues her efforts post-session.

Two statements by the Senator really spoke to me. First, she reminded NDs that the only way her profession, nursing, has been able to achieve the political clout it maintains is by joining together and supporting their professional organizations and lobbyists. Political power is not gained by simply doing a good job, it requires you to "play the game." My mother used to tell me I had to learn to play the game and I hated the idea of that, but I think she may be right, especially in some circumstances. NDs, you need to support and join the OANP and you need to keep up with the political workings of your profession. Your long-term success depends on it.

Second, she admonished NDs that the landscape of health care is changing dramatically as our nation, Congress and Obama pushes for reform. Change is coming in a big way. NDs stand to become THE source of primary care physicians, but if NDs are not at this "table," they will be sent to bed hungry. There will not be another opportunity quite like this one and it needs to be capitalized on if NDs are going to have a place in our health care system.

For some this is not why they got into medicine, and when your medicine has been invalidated or worse for generations, it is daunting to put yourself out there and demand parity in the system. Shake it off and buck up buttercup, it's now or never! Get in touch with Laura Farr at the OANP and ask how you can help. Get in touch with the AANP and ask how you can help. Now is the time. Our nation needs you and they just don't know it yet.

See you on the front lines!

Looking for free advice?

Check out the Portland Small Business Fair this Saturday, Sept 19th, from 8:45am till 4:30pm at the convention center.

A list of the workshops can be found at: http://www.portlandonline.com/smallbusinessfair/

I'll be attending for ideas and networking... see you there!