Last month Governor Charlie Baker signed into law a bill that offers licensure to naturopathic doctors (NDs) in Massachusetts. This licensure ensures the safe practice of naturopathic medicine in the Baystate.

A grassroots effort led by thousands of grateful patients helped get this legislation over the finish line. This law affords people of Massachusetts an option to include well-educated and trained NDs on their healthcare team for the naturopath’s expertise in both preventive care and natural integrative medicine.

This law also protects public health by enabling Massachusetts’ citizens to understand credentials of those practitioners seen. High-level state politicians, Secretaries of Health and Human Services, and members of Departments of Public Health from licensed states weighed in with their positive experiences with naturopathic medicine in their respective states. In addition, insurance company executives, leaders from the business world, medical researchers along with scores of medical doctors and other allied health professionals contacted Governor Baker urging the signing of this bill.

Amy Rothenberg, ND and president of the Massachusetts Society of Naturopathic Doctors (MSND) reports, “I applaud Governor Baker and the legislative process that studied and vetted this profession for more than 24 years and came to understand the unique role that licensed NDs can play in the state.”

Paul Herscu, ND, MPH and MSND legislative chair, furthers, “Naturopathic doctors are poised to bring evidence-based knowledge and expertise to the Massachusetts clinical, public health, teaching and research settings.”

In licensed states, NDs work collaboratively with allied health providers, whether from private practice, in integrative clinics or healthcare centers, and in clinics that care for the underserved. Massachusetts patients will now be able to safely access the skills and expertise of NDs in the Baystate.

The Massachusetts Society of Naturopathic Doctors (MSND) is the professional association representing licensable naturopathic doctors in the Commonwealth. For more information, call 413-658-4461 or visit msnd.org.