Health Care Reform Needs Naturopathic Medicine

New legislation has created new advisory groups to take charge of health care reform policies and programs. President Obama is making decisions now about who to appoint to these key positions.

Trained as primary care practitioners and experts in alternative and complementary therapies, naturopathic physicians have a lot to offer. They understand the impact of nutritional and environmental factors on health and disease, and they support lifestyle modification to reduce rates of chronic illness.

Principles that define naturopathic medicine - like educating and empowering patients to become active participants in their health care, identifying and treating the cause of illness starting with the least invasive methods, healing the whole person, and preventing disease - will also be key concepts in improving health care as reform moves forward.

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) has nominated Dr. Tara Levy, a licensed naturopathic physician from California with experience in public policy and expertise in integrative medicine, to serve on the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council Advisory Board within the Department of Health and Human Services.

Use the AANP's easy online tool to advocate for the appointment of a naturopathic doctor to this important advisory group. Use the suggested text or write your own and choose the method of delivery. Your message will automatically be sent to President Obama via email or printed letter.

Don't delay - decisions are expected within two weeks.

Get started now by clicking here.

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