This bill amends the Public Health Code in Michigan to formally recognize and regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine. It introduces new definitions and requirements for naturopathic doctors, mandating that they graduate from an accredited naturopathic medical program and pass a national licensing examination. The legislation also establishes a fee schedule for licensing, ensures that practitioners use their titles appropriately, and outlines the specific tasks that licensed naturopathic doctors can perform, such as ordering diagnostic tests and prescribing certain medications.

Furthermore, the bill creates a board of naturopathic medicine within the department, composed of five naturopathic doctors, one licensed physician, one licensed pharmacist, and two public members. This board will oversee licensure qualifications, practice rules, and the establishment of a naturopathic formulary, which will include natural medicines and prescription drugs aligned with the training of naturopathic graduates. The bill also sets limitations on the practice of naturopathic doctors, including restrictions on prescribing certain drugs and performing surgical procedures, and clarifies that licenses will expire every four years without imposing additional third-party reimbursement requirements for their services.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 333.16265