IV 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 211 
Expressing support for designation of the week of October 7 through October 
13, 2013, as ‘‘Naturopathic Medicine Week’’ to recognize the value 
of naturopathic medicine in providing safe, effective, and affordable 
health care. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 9, 2013 
Ms. NORTON submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for designation of the week of October 
7 through October 13, 2013, as ‘‘Naturopathic Medicine 
Week’’ to recognize the value of naturopathic medicine 
in providing safe, effective, and affordable health care. 
Whereas, in the United States, 75 percent of all health care 
spending is for the treatment of preventable chronic ill-
nesses, including high blood pressure, which affects 
68,000,000 people in the United States, and diabetes, 
which affects 26,000,000 people in the United States; 
Whereas nearly two-thirds of adults in the United States are 
overweight or obese and, consequently, at risk for serious 
health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, 
cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and depression; 
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Whereas 70 percent of people in the United States experience 
physical or nonphysical symptoms of stress, which can 
contribute to chronic health conditions, such as high 
blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes; 
Whereas the aforementioned health conditions are among the 
most preventable health conditions and are especially re-
sponsive to the preventive, whole-person approach favored 
by naturopathic medicine; 
Whereas naturopathic medicine provides noninvasive, holistic 
treatments that support the inherent self-healing capacity 
of the human body and encourage self-responsibility in 
health care; 
Whereas naturopathic medicine reduces health care costs be-
cause of its focus on patient-centered care, the prevention 
of chronic illnesses, and early intervention in the treat-
ment of chronic illnesses; 
Whereas naturopathic physicians attend 4-year, graduate 
level programs with rigorous admission requirements at 
institutions that are recognized by the Department of 
Education; 
Whereas naturopathic physicians are especially skilled in 
treating chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, asthma, auto-
immune disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders, because 
of their focus on whole-body medicine rather than symp-
tom management; 
Whereas naturopathic physicians are trained to serve as pri-
mary care physicians and can help redress the shortage 
of primary care providers in the United States; 
Whereas naturopathic physicians are trained to refer patients 
to conventional physicians and specialists when necessary; 
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Whereas patients of naturopathic physicians report higher 
patient satisfaction and health improvement than pa-
tients of conventional medicine; 
Whereas the profession of naturopathic medicine is dedicated 
to providing health care to underserved populations; 
Whereas naturopathic medicine provides consumers in the 
United States with more choice in health care, in line 
with the increased use of a variety of integrative medical 
treatments; and 
Whereas the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 
(Public Law 111–148; 124 Stat. 119) requires that in-
surers include and reimburse licensed health care pro-
viders, including naturopathic physicians, in health insur-
ance plans: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of ‘‘Naturopathic 
Medicine Week’’; 
(2) recognizes the value of naturopathic medi-
cine in providing safe, effective, and affordable 
health care; and 
(3) encourages the people of the United States 
to learn about naturopathic medicine and the role 
that naturopathic physicians play in preventing 
chronic and debilitating illnesses and conditions. 
Æ 
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