“The establishment of licensure for naturopathy is disappointing, as licensing is likely to be perceived by the public as an endorsement of an area of care that lacks rigorous medical training and standards of care, and offers few if any treatments based on clinical and scientific evidence.
We are gratified that the bill does offer some protections for patients by prohibiting naturopaths from prescribing and ordering medications, from using the term “physician,” and from portraying themselves as primary care providers. We urge patients to be cautious when considering naturopathic treatments.”
James S. Gessner, M.D., President
Massachusetts Medical Society
January 11, 2017
