Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205
03/07/2023 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) Commissioner Department of Health | |
| SB8 | |
| SB44 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 44 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 44-NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE
4:13:09 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 44 "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."
4:13:26 PM
CHAIR WILSON noted that there was a committee substitute (CS)
for the committee to consider. He solicited a motion.
4:13:29 PM
SENATOR KAUFMAN moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS) for
SB 44, work order 33-LS0297\S, as the working document.
4:13:40 PM
CHAIR WILSON objected for purposes of discussion.
4:13:53 PM
JANE CONWAY, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided the following summary of
changes for SB 44 from version B to version S:
Page 2, lines 23-24: re: Advisory Board composition
The Advisory Board composition was changed to be
comprised of 2 NDs, 1 pharmacist, 1 MD or OD and
1 public member. (Reduced public members from 2
to 1, reduced NDs from 3 to 2, and added 1
pharmacist and 1 MD or OD.)
Page 4, line 4: re: externship
Removes the externship program requirement for
Naturopath licensure. The term is confusing and
unnecessary. Other medical providers with the
level of authority the NDs are requesting are
not required to match or emulate the MD and OD
internship process. The training for NPs is most
commensurate with that of NDs having similar
clinical hours, and neither have a required
residency.
Page 6, line 13: re: vaccines
Added vaccines to the list of services that a
licensed naturopath may provide.
Page 6, line 19:
Deletion of the word "surgical" to clarify this
sentence which only means that a licensed
naturopath may treat superficial lacerations,
abrasions and lesions. The word "surgical" can
be mistaken to infer procedures that they are
not seeking to perform.
Page 6, line 26:
Replaces the word "ultrasound" with the word
"imaging." There are several types of imaging
that a naturopath may wish to order if
necessary. Other types of imaging could be an
X-ray, MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, EKG, and other
tests to assist with correct patient diagnosis.
Page 6, line 30:
Replaces the word "ultrasound" with the word
"imaging." There are several types of imaging
that a naturopath may wish to order if
necessary to assist with correct patient
diagnosis.
CHAIR WILSON discerned there were no questions or comments.
4:16:55 PM
CHAIR WILSON removed his objection; he found no further
objection and version S was adopted. He noted that Senator
Dunbar had an amendment.
4:17:21 PM
At ease
4:18:19 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting.
4:18:25 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR moved to adopt Amendment 1 for SB 44. He noted
that the amendment was drafted based on the original bill, but
the following reflects the proposed changes to version S.
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR DUNBAR
TO: SB 44, version S
Page 4, lines 5 - 6:
Delete all material.
Renumber the following paragraphs accordingly.
Page 6, line 24:
Delete "and"
Page 6, line 27, following "test":
Insert "; and
(5) write prescriptions if the person has
passed a pharmaceutical examination approved by the
department that is equivalent to any examination of
pharmaceutical knowledge required under AS 08.64.210
or 08.64.220"
4:18:28 PM
CHAIR WILSON objected for purposes of an explanation.
SENATOR DUNBAR explained that naturopaths in Alaska are not
required to have prescriptive authority to practice, but SB 44
would require an individual who applies for a license to
practice naturopathy in the state to have passed a
pharmaceutical examination before they apply. The intent of the
amendment is to delete the requirement for naturopaths to pass a
pharmaceutical examination. Then on page 6, line 27 a new
paragraph (5) adds the ability for naturopaths to write
prescriptions if they have passed an approved pharmaceutical
examination. Naturopaths may obtain prescriptive authority but
they aren't required to do so.
4:20:15 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL advised that Dr. Clyde Jensen, who is a
professor of pharmacology, may wish to comment on Amendment 1.
4:20:41 PM
CLYDE JENSEN, Ph.D., MS, Professor of Pharmacology, Rocky Vista
University, Saint George, Utah stated his belief that a
naturopath who does not wish to prescribe should not be required
to do so. He then cautioned the committee to be mindful of any
amendment that creates unnecessary obstacles.
4:22:08 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked Senator Dunbar for confirmation that the
amendment would remove the requirement for a naturopath to pass
a pharmaceutical examination.
4:22:26 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR clarified that Amendment 1 removes the
requirement for a naturopath to pass a pharmaceutical
examination to practice naturopathy. It also adds a new
paragraph (5) on page 6 that clarifies that a licensed
naturopath who wants to write prescriptions may do so once they
have passed an approved pharmaceutical examination.
4:22:47 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked Dr. Jensen if there would be a benefit for a
naturopath to take the pharmaceutical examination even if they
do not intend to prescribe.
4:23:04 PM
DR. JENSEN said he was not aware of a benefit to taking the
examination if a naturopath chooses not to prescribe.
4:23:23 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL stated that the purpose of the state's
regulatory boards is to protect the public. She posited that
when a naturopath is providing health care services, they are
not confining their services to individuals who are not
consuming pharmaceuticals. She opined that the vitamins,
minerals, and herbal preparations that naturopaths recommend
have the potential to create side effects when they interact
with pharmaceuticals an individual has taken. She said that's
the reason to require naturopaths to demonstrate pharmaceutical
knowledge even if they don't prescribe them. The requirement for
naturopaths to pass a pharmaceutical examination provides
documentation that the state has examined an individual and
asserts that they have equivalent pharmaceutical knowledge to
others who are licensed under medical statutes. She noted that
Dr. Jenson testified in the past that the pharmacological
education that naturopaths receive is equivalent to medical
physicians.
4:26:18 PM
SENATOR TOBIN asked if the amendment would create two types of
licenses for naturopaths, one with an endorsement and one
without. She asked who would be checking to ensure that a
naturopath was practicing within their scope of licensure.
4:26:50 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR stated his belief that it would be the same
regulatory agency that currently oversees naturopaths. He
continued to say that if a naturopath were to exercise
prescriptive authority without taking the pharmaceutical
examination, that same regulatory body would take action. He
noted that Senator Giessel has evidence that most naturopaths
would take the examination and seek prescriptive authority, but
some members of the public expressed a desire to not force
prescriptive authority on naturopaths.
4:28:05 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR said he appreciates the changes in the CS and
Senator Giessel's reasoned argument for public safety. He
withdrew Amendment 1 and said he appreciated that the discussion
was on the record.
4:28:22 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no further amendments, questions, or comments
and he solicited a motion.
4:28:39 PM
SENATOR KAUFMAN moved to report the CS for SB 44, work order 33-
LS0297\S, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
4:28:48 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no objection and CSSB 44(HSS) was reported
from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.