Declare Naturopathic Medicine Week

Assembly Resolution No. 646 BY: M. of A. Ortiz MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 19-25, 2017, as Naturopathic Medicine Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, In the United States, more than 75 percent of health care costs are due to preventable chronic illnesses; in New York State more than 40 percent of adults suffer from a chronic disease, and in New York State the chronic illnesses of heart disease and cancer account for over half of all deaths; and WHEREAS, The percentage of New York State adults who are overweight or obese increased from 42% in 1997 to 61.3% in 2013; consequently, such people are at risk for serious health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and depression; and WHEREAS, 70 percent of people in the United States experience physical or nonphysical symptoms of stress and stress can contribute to the development of major illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes; and WHEREAS, The aforementioned chronic health conditions are among the most common, costly, and preventable health conditions; and WHEREAS, Aspects of naturopathic medicine have been shown to lower the risk of major illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes; and WHEREAS, Awareness of naturopathic medicine is increasing nationwide with professional licensure offered by 17 states, including the neighboring states of Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, with the largest populations of licensed naturopathic doctors being in California, Washington State, and Oregon; and WHEREAS, 18 states and 21 USA jurisdiction, including the District of Columbia. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, have some level of regulation for the naturopathic profession; and WHEREAS, Naturopathic medicine is a profession recognized by the federal government with accrediting agencies approved by the Department of Education for naturopathic doctors to attend 4-year graduate-level accredited doctoral programs; and WHEREAS, Naturopathic medicine, as being pursued in New York State, is the facilitation of optimum health and wellness using naturopathic assessment, common office procedures, physical naturopathy, approved substances and noninvasive naturopathic therapies in a holistic framework informed by naturopathic principles and a therapeutic order; and WHEREAS, While optimum health is facilitated for patients anywhere along an entire spectrum of health, including for acute and chronic illness, naturopathic medicine is particularly adapted for prevention of chronic illness, and early intervention in the treatment of chronic illness; and WHEREAS, Naturopathic doctors administer patient-centered care to facilitate the establishment of a health regimen, to stimulate self-healing, processes, to improve function of weakened or damaged systems and organs, to correct structural integrity, and to address pathology; and WHEREAS, Naturopathic doctors are trained to collaborate with other naturopathic doctors, physicians, and health care providers and to refer patients to members of the allied health professions to serve the interests of the patient; and WHEREAS, Naturopathic doctors evaluate a patient's circumstances of health and illness, including by investigating the patient's health, history, life style, determinants of health and genetic, and environmental susceptibility to illness, and by comprehensive physical examination; and WHEREAS, The profession of naturopathic medicine is dedicated to providing health care to various patient populations, including underserved populations; and WHEREAS, Naturopathic doctors can help address the shortage of primary care providers in the United States and the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Naturopathic medicine has the potential to provide consumers in New York State with more choice in health care and offer alternative, complementary and integrative care services in the various patient care venues of New York State; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes that naturopathic medicine provides safe, effective, and affordable health care, and the citizens of the State of New York be educated about naturopathic medicine and the role that naturopathic doctors play in preventing chronic illness and facilitating optimum health and wellness; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 19-25, 2017, as Naturopathic Medicine Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.