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Committee hears testimony on HB147 to allow limited prescriptive authority for naturopathic doctors
Summary
Supporters told the House Health and Social Services Committee that House Bill 147 would allow licensed naturopathic doctors in Alaska to obtain a time‑limited prescriptive endorsement, require supervised practice for one year, and add continuing education and disciplinary provisions; the committee set the bill aside for a future hearing.
Representative Mike Prox introduced House Bill 147 on April 20, asking the committee to update Alaska law so licensed naturopathic doctors could prescribe a limited range of medications after a supervised probationary period.
The bill would create a temporary prescriptive endorsement, require a written collaborative agreement with a supervising physician for at least 12 months, mandate 60 hours of division‑approved continuing education every two years (including at least 20 hours in pharmacotherapy), and expand existing disciplinary and criminal penalties for prescribing without a valid endorsement. The bill text specifically excludes poisons, chemotherapy drugs, antipsychotic drugs and radioactive substances from what the endorsement would permit.
Prox said the measure would let naturopaths “serve those who wish to avail themselves of their care to the full extent of their education and training,” and argued it would reduce delays and extra cost for patients who now must see another provider to get prescriptions.
Witnesses for the bill included Laura Culberson Farr, executive director of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians; Dr. Clyde Jensen, a pharmacology educator; Shannon Braden of the Federation of Naturopathic Medicine Regulatory Authorities; and Dr. Natalie Wiggins of Vita Integrative Medical Center. Farr and Braden cited multi‑state experience and disciplinary data to argue that expanded prescriptive authority has been implemented safely elsewhere. Jensen testified that pharmacology classroom hours and continuing education for naturopathic students are comparable to MDs and DOs but noted fewer opportunities for postgraduate supervised clinical observation; he described HB147’s one‑year collaboration as a mitigation for that difference. Wiggins said requiring a collaborative year and limiting the formulary made the bill “a cautious and reasonable step.”
Glenn Saviors, deputy director for the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, told the committee the division would assess complaints and could require additional supervised hours, deny an endorsement, or take disciplinary action on a case‑by‑case basis.
Committee members asked about the bill’s explicit exclusions for chemotherapy and antipsychotic drugs, whether the one‑year collaborative period could become a barrier, and how the continuing education requirements compare with other prescribers. Supporters said the exclusions and the staged oversight were designed to minimize disputes and to mirror approaches used in other states such as Vermont.
The committee did not vote on HB147. Chair Mina announced that House Bill 147 would be set aside for a future hearing.
