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Naturopathic medicine is a field of medicine that is making resurgence. This is due largely in part by the recognition of holistic medicine as a whole and the increasing physician shortage in family medicine. These are the two main areas of focus for the lobbyist of the naturopathic community. It now seems that their efforts have finally paid dividends. This increasing awareness is not only spreading throughout the community, but in Washington D.C. On September 10, 2013,The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating October 7 - October 13 as Naturopathic Medicine Week. This caused a ripple throughout the naturopathic profession as many have become elated with joy regarding the increased awareness that naturopathic medicine is now being given on Capitol Hill. It is felt that this act now proves that naturopathic medicine provides safe, effective and affordable health care; in addition, that the community at large will more easily accept this profession The question posed though, is at what cost to the naturopathic profession? The system is broke. The system in place now is the same system in the last 30 years which forced many of the baby boomer physicians and the generation prior to retire early. These physicians became too frustrated by a system that dictated how they should practice medicine; not to mention, all the headaches which came from dealing with the insurances - predominantly speaking of reimbursement for services rendered. This is one of the main reasons why people choose not to practice family medicine, but to specialize instead. The government knows that there is a shortage of family care physicians. This must be addressed because this carries a grave prognosis for the already declining health of this country. Allopathic medical students are wise to the fact that if you want to have a thriving practice which enables you to pay off your loans, live comfortably, and enjoy your job that you do not choose family medicine as your choice of residency. There have been numerous studies and polls which show this to be true. While the allopathic medical students are shying away from family practice, the graduating naturopathic medical students will fill this void. This is what naturopaths are trained in, family medicine; therefore, there is no other option of practice. There are no specialized residencies. With the further integration of this medicine into the allopathic model of medicine, naturopaths will then be told how to practice just like the MD’s are. Furthermore, just because you are recognized and even licensed by certain states does not mean that you are given full reign as an allopathic physician is. For example, in Colorado, due to the view point about vaccinations held by the naturopathic community at large, Colorado’s Board of Medicine feels that naturopaths may pose a danger to children under two by not recommending vaccines. Therefore, they cannot treat individuals under two. So while everyone clamors in excitement that they are being further recognized, they are allowing themselves to be told how to practice and being minimized. The problem with the naturopathic community is a feeling of inferiority. They want to play in the same sandbox and get the same recognition as the allopath’s. They have lost sight of the roots of their medicine and have become duped into thinking that somehow being accepted by insurances is beneficial to their bottom line and to their profession. In a profession that has become allopathic in its philosophy over the last 20 years, this should serve as the final nail in the coffin. Soon there will be a need to distinguish Traditional Naturopathic Medicine from Naturopathic Medicine, which can already be justified. Here the author Chris Fucci says about Naturopathic Medical Schools and Naturopathic Medicine, Insurance. For more information, please visit http://naturopathicknights.com/
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