04/08/2010 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

                       HB 282-NATUROPATHS                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
5:45:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR HERRON announced that the  final order of business would                                                               
be HOUSE  BILL NO. 282,  "An Act  relating to naturopaths  and to                                                               
the practice of naturopathy;  establishing an Alaska Naturopathic                                                               
Medical  Board; authorizing  medical assistance  program coverage                                                               
of naturopathic  services; amending  the definition  of 'practice                                                               
of medicine'; and providing for  an effective date."  [Before the                                                               
committee was Version W.]                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
5:46:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KENDRA  KLOSTER,  Staff  to Representative  Cathy  Munoz,  Alaska                                                               
State Legislature, explained that HB  282 would establish a board                                                               
for Naturopaths.   She related that she  brought forth additional                                                               
information  for  members  and  is available  for  any  questions                                                               
members may have.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
5:47:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR HERRON closed public testimony on HB 282.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
5:48:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR KELLER said  that he preferred the option  for people to                                                               
have  choices for  medical care.   He  related his  understanding                                                               
that Naturopaths often work to  take people off prescriptions and                                                               
use supplements,  which is worthwhile.   Thus,  Naturopaths offer                                                               
treatment that a medical doctor would not offer.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
5:49:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR   KELLER  moved   to  report   the  proposed   committee                                                               
substitute  (CS) labeled  26-LS1208\W, Bullard,  3/30/10, out  of                                                               
committee  with individual  recommendations and  the accompanying                                                               
fiscal notes.   There being  no objection, the CSHB  282(HSS) was                                                               
reported from the Health and Social Services Standing Committee.