HB 147-PRACTICE OF NATUROPATHY  3:20:28 PM CHAIR MINA announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 147, "An Act relating to the practice of naturopathy." 3:21:05 PM REPRESENTATIVE MIKE PRAX, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, presented HB 147 to the committee. He explained that the proposed bill would establish a licensing standard for pharmaceutical workers in Alaska and allow for temporary endorsement allowing said workers to perform their duties under supervision of a medical doctor for a year, after which they would qualify for a pharmacology test. Additionally, the bill would require 60 hours. of continuing education, including 20 hours. of pharmacology, and would prohibit prescribing a controlled substance, poison, chemotherapy drug for cancer, ionizing or radiation therapy, radioactive substance, or anti- psychotic medication. He also stated that 15 other states allow for similar provisions. REPRESENTATIVE PRAX, referring to past testimony, stated that there had been no disciplinary actions taken against naturopathic doctors in states that provided such prescribing authority and that many patients in Alaska emergency rooms are there to receive primary care rather than emergency care, adding to a primary care shortage within Alaska. Referencing debates around the Rural Health Transformation Project, he explained how the proposed legislation would allow Alaska to join multi-state licensure compacts. He expressed hope that the bill would allow naturopathic doctors to work to the fullest scope of their education and training. 3:25:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRAY commented that he was a co-sponsor of HB 147. He explained that allopathic medicine was the opposite of naturopathic medicine, referencing the hierarchal structure surrounding allopathic medicine, and said that many folks in Alaska would like to pursue alternate forms of medical care. He stated that since the late 1980s, naturopathic doctors have had the authority to order laboratory testing and imaging. However, he stated that while naturopaths have such authority, they are currently not able to treat their patients to the same capacity that a traditional medical doctor would. He emphasized that naturopathic doctors must attend four years of school and are educated in traditional pharmacology and explained that the proposed legislation was about allowing access to high-quality medical care in Alaska. He remarked that the best course of action for the legislature to take would be to meet folks where they are by passing this legislation. He further stated that enshrining these guidelines into law, primary care access would be expanded across the state. He also stated that not passing said guidelines would result in unscrupulous medical providers entering Alaska. He remarked that the state has "created a culture that encourages substandard care." Representative Gray concluded that the guidelines within the proposed legislation would allow Alaska to attract "good naturopaths" who will practice a high standard of care. 3:28:48 PM REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE echoed Representative Gray's remarks that HB 147 would increase access to naturopathic care in Alaska. She shared a personal story about a family member of hers that had suffered a stroke, who was helped by a naturopathic doctor and still alive despite the diagnosis by traditional physicians. Representative Schwanke stated that the traditional physician who diagnosed her father said that he would "pass in a couple of months," but naturopathic physician Dr. Scott Luper, whom she said was on the line listening to the committee meeting was able to "find an alternative path" and extend her father's life to the present. Representative Schwanke said that her father was "enjoying his winter in Florida this year." REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE, further referencing Representative Gray's testimony, stated that Alaska is one of a growing number of states that license and regulate naturopath doctors and that "it [was] pretty well known that Alaska [was] the most restrictive when it comes to pharmaceutical prescriptive authority." She further stated support for the bill and to moving it out of committee. 3:31:19 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRAY moved to report HB 147, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB-147 was reported out of the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.