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Committee hears cleanup bill to rename naturopathy degree and remove mandatory MD consultation
Summary
H7425 would change Rhode Island statute to use the title 'naturopathic doctor' and remove a statutory requirement for a formal MD consultation agreement; proponents said the changes align Rhode Island with other states and reduce barriers.
Representative Casimiro introduced House Bill 7425 as a statutory cleanup to update the professional title used in Rhode Island law for naturopathic practitioners. Dr. Chris Anthony Casanzas, who said he practices as a licensed naturopathic doctor and leads the Rhode Island Association of Naturopathic Physicians, testified the bill would replace the phrase “doctor of naturopathy” with “naturopathic doctor” (ND) and remove a statutory requirement that licensed naturopathic doctors maintain a formal consultation agreement with a medical doctor.
Dr. Casanzas told the committee that naturopathic physicians complete four years of graduate medical training and that mandatory consultation agreements create unnecessary barriers to practice and limit patient access. He said the association would submit amended language in coordination with the Department of Health.
The committee took testimony, noted other practitioners had signed in in favor, and concluded the hearing for H7425.
