Florida: Legalize Naturopathy Again
Our Stand: At-A-Glance
- Did you know that since 1958 naturopathy and naturopathic medicine have been illegal in the state of Florida? This significantly limits freedom of medical choice for Floridians who want the right to choose a holistic, integrative, or natural approach to their medical care, and unfairly discriminates against both traditional Naturopaths as well as Naturopathic Doctors (NDs).
- Florida Senate Bill 470 (SB 470) takes two crucial steps for health freedom. First, the bill removes “naturopathy” as a regulated term in Florida, which would allow traditional Naturopaths to work freely again in our state as they do in the rest of the country. The bill also reinstates the license for Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) in Florida for the first time since 1958 which is a big step toward regulating and legitimizing naturopathic medicine in the state. This bill ensures licensing standards, patient safety, and expanded healthcare options for Floridians who seek holistic and natural treatments with Naturopathic Doctors (NDs).
- Here is why SB470 is so important:
- Removes “naturopathy” as an illegal term in Florida, this will allow traditional Naturopaths to work freely in our state.
- Reinstates the license for Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) in Florida. The license was sunsetted in 1958, and the bill would reinstate the license. This enhances patient safety by promoting transparency in care and ends long-standing discrimination against these medical professionals.
- An important note: SB 470 explicitly states that the bill does not impact or otherwise restrict other practitioners who offer various forms of natural healing or holistic care from continuing their important work. The bill specifically focuses on making naturopathy legal again and reinstating the license for Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) who have completed accredited medical training. This means that traditional naturopaths, homeopaths, herbalists, traditional healers, health coaches, and other holistic practitioners can continue practicing as they do now. The bill simply creates a regulatory framework for NDs only, ensuring that those who use the title “Naturopathic Doctor” meet professional medical education and safety standards—just like MDs and DOs.
- ACTION: Contact your Senator and urge them to support this pivotal bill, if Florida stands for the freedom to choose, this is a common sense bill to pass.