1 February 2024
Here at the WANP, we keep busy year-round advocating for our profession and working to make sure our legal scope isn't eroded or violated by internal policies of various companies or organizations. This advocacy work stretches far beyond the state legislature and the annual legislative session.
Last year, we learned from one of our members that naturopathic physicians are excluded from authorizing a Regional Reduced Fare Permit for Disabled Persons for public transportation throughout the greater Puget Sound region. Since then, we have been working with city and county transportation departments urging our addition to the application form. Earlier this week, we sent a letter to the Regional Reduced Fare Permit Task Force requesting consideration of our inclusion at their annual meeting in March. We feel hopeful that these cities and counties will do the right thing, and we'll be sure to give another update after the March meeting.
Also this week, we sent a letter to the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee requesting time at its April meeting to make the case to leave naturopathic physicians in WAC 246-338-020. We have been working closely with the Washington State Department of Health and with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) on this issue since we learned about it at the November Board of Naturopathy meeting. To be clear: stopping this will be an incredible feat, given the massive government entities involved. But we will fight as hard as we can to preserve ND access to Provider Performed Microscopic Procedures (PPMP) here in Washington.
Meanwhile, the Sunrise Review on our priority scope expansion bill remains in progress. We understand that the Department of Health received an astounding 1,000+ written comments during the 6-week open comment period last fall. We expect to receive a summary of these comments as well as additional questions and action items after the 2024 Legislative Session ends on March 7, and then we will be in preparation mode for a public hearing on the matter some time (not yet scheduled) in April.
Needless to say, it's a very busy start to the year here at the WANP as we fight to protect and advance our doctors.
If you're not a current member of the WANP, THIS is why you should be! We're here fighting for you regardless, but we can only do this advocacy work because of the support of our members. Please join today! (Monthly payment options and discounted rates for newer doctors as well as out of state/retired/non-practicing doctors are available!)