STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1610

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  S.R. No. 80
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which
was referred S.R. No. 80 entitled:

     "SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION OF
     NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure, as received, was to have
naturopathic physicians recognized as the equals of physicians,
surgeons, podiatrists, and osteopathic surgeons. 

     The Hawaii Society of Naturopathic Physicians presented
testimony in support of the measure.  Three individuals, while
not present, submitted supporting testimony.  The Hawaii Medical
Association presented testimony in opposition to the measure.  An
individual who was not present submitted opposing testimony. 

     Your Committee finds that most consumers do not have access
to naturopathic treatment through their prepaid health plans
since naturopaths are not included within a health plan's
definition of "physician".  This measure seeks to compel the
inclusion of naturopathic treatment under health plans by
requesting the recognition of naturopaths as primary care
providers with education and training equivalent to that of
medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs).

     Your Committee further finds, however, that members of the
medical profession dispute naturopaths' claims that their
education and training are comparable to those of MDs and DOs,

 
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and that this measure raises issues related to the effectiveness
and safety of naturopathy and other forms of alternative
medicine.  

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by
deleting most of its contents and replacing it with contents that
reflect the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1235, S.D. 1, a
measure that establishes a temporary Governor's task force on
alternative medicine.  Your Committee has also amended the title
to reflect the measure's amended purpose. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to
this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose
of S.R. No. 80, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in
the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 80, S.D. 1.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Commerce and
                                   Consumer Protection,



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN KANNO, Co-Chair



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Co-Chair

 
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