Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
05/06/2021 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB38 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 124 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 38 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 38-NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE
1:35:01 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 38
"An Act relating to the practice of naturopathy; establishing
the Naturopathy Advisory Board; relating to the licensure of
naturopaths; relating to disciplinary sanctions for naturopaths;
relating to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic
Development; and providing for an effective date."
CHAIR WILSON said that the committee heard SB 38, took invited
testimony on April 8 and heard it again on April 15. He noted
the presence of Senator Kawasaki's staff, Joe Hayes, and
Director Sara Chambers with the Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development (DCCED), who was available
for questions.
1:35:53 PM
CHAIR WILSON requested a motion to adopt the work draft
committee substitute.
1:35:56 PM
SENATOR HUGHES moved the work draft committee substitute (CS)
for SB 38, work order 32-LS0318\B, as the working document.
1:36:06 PM
CHAIR WILSON objected for purposes of discussion and reviewed
changes to SB 38. He said members had focused on the ability of
naturopaths to use the word physician in their title and the
expansion of their scope of practice. The concern was that a
naturopath's training and education should be on par with that
of a medical doctor to use the title physician.
Several requirements added to the CS make naturopaths' use of
the word physician in their title acceptable. In Section 9,
these requirements were the completion of a two-year externship
and passing an approved pharmaceutical examination. A continuing
education requirement was added in a new section. Should members
agree to these changes a future amendment to the CS will be
proposed allowing naturopaths to use the title physician
1:37:06 PM
CHAIR WILSON removed his objection; finding no further
objection, version B was adopted as the working document.
1:37:20 PM
SENATOR HUGHES thanked Senator Kawasaki and staff member Mr.
Hayes for working with members on SB 38. Naturopaths are an
important part of Alaska's healthcare system. More work will be
done on SB 38 as it moves to the Labor and Commerce Committee. A
two-year internship, continuing education, and appropriate
pharmaceutical training were added to the working copy of SB 38.
These additions were to allow naturopaths to use the term
physician in their title but that was inadvertently omitted from
the CS. An amendment will be offered to correct the oversight.
She opined that if naturopaths are going to step up and align
their training closer to that of a medical or osteopathic
doctor, then the use of the word physician would be in keeping
with public expectation.
1:38:59 PM
CHAIR WILSON moved Amendment 1, [work order 32-LS0318\B.1].
AMENDMENT 1
32-LS0318\B.1
Fisher
5/4/21
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR WILSON
TO: CSSB 38(HSS), Draft Version "B"
Page 7, lines 9 - 10:
Delete all material and insert:
"(2) engage in surgery, except as
authorized by AS 08.45.045(a)(3) [;
(3) USE THE WORD "PHYSICIAN" IN THE
PERSON'S TITLE]."
1:39:06 PM
SENATOR HUGHES objected for purposes of discussion.
CHAIR WILSON explained that Amendment 1, along with language
adopted in the CS and other additional requirements, will allow
Naturopaths to use the title physician.
SENATOR COSTELLO responded that she is not interested in holding
up SB 38 but is concerned about the word physician being used in
a naturopath's title. It could be confusing to the public.
SENATOR BEGICH asked what the sponsor thought of the amendment.
JOE HAYES, Staff, Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, stated on behalf of the sponsor
that naturopaths are not wedded to the word physician, and it
would not be an issue if it failed.
SENATOR BEGICH clarified that the amendment if passed,
eliminates language so the word physician can be used.
CHAIR WILSON responded correct.
1:41:01 PM
SENATOR HUGHES opined that the use of the title physician should
be a topic of discussion for a future committee. She suggested
naturopaths use the title naturopathic physician to avoid
confusion with the traditional meaning of the word physician.
1:41:23 PM
At ease
1:41:27 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting.
He stated that members are neutral on Amendment 1, and it is
better suited for the Labor and Commerce Committee, which deals
with titles, duties, and roles.
CHAIR WILSON withdrew Amendment 1 and asked if there were any
closing comments.
MR. HAYES said he looks forward to SB 38 moving through the
process.
SENATOR REINBOLD commented that diverse views need to be heard.
She respects naturopaths and will support SB 38.
1:43:29 PM
SENATOR HUGHES commented that she looks forward to continued
work in the next committee. She mentioned that naturopaths
should remedy their use of the word physician as a title until a
decision is reached.
CHAIR WILSON suggested the Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development (DCCED) assist naturopaths with remediation
since they do not have a board.
1:44:27 PM
CHAIR WILSON solicited a motion to move SB 38 from committee.
1:44:30 PM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to report the work draft committee
substitute (CS) for SB 38, work order 32-LS0318\B, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note(s).
CHAIR WILSON found no objection and CSSB 38(HSS) was reported
from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 38 ASMA Opposition Letter.pdf |
SHSS 5/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 38 |