Laura Rues, DN, President, Kansas Naturopathic Doctors Association, provided testimony in support of HB2366 (Attachment 2). The bill represents a careful, long overdue update to the Naturopathic Doctor Licensure Act. The bill provides essential clarifications to the statutes. The bill adds targeted regulations for prescription management, ensuring accountability while updating the disciplinary section. Regarding training, doctors complete over 4,100 hours of accredited doctoral level training, including over 1,200 supervised clinical hours and 141 dedicated hours in pharmacological training. A clear double standard exists. Naturopathic Doctors (ND) undergo more than double the minimum clinical hours required for APRNs.
Ms. Rues responded to questions from the committee.
Dr. Jeffrey Davis, Prairie Health Wellness, provided testimony in support of HB2366 (Attachment 3). For over a decade his practice has employed and closely collaborated with licensed naturopathic doctors in a true team based model. NDs undergo rigorous doctoral level training in diagnostics, pharmacology, and evidence-informed therapies. Kansas faces a growing crisis of chronic illness and primary care shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Passage of the bill would modernize Kansas law by granting NDs limited prescriptive authority aligned with their training and national standards, while preserving oversight by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts.
Dr. Davis responded to questions from the committee.
Amber Belt, ND, provided testimony in support of HB2366 (Attachment 4). Kansas faces severe rural healthcare discrepancies. 50 out of 105 counties are fully rural, many of which are considered Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). Aging physicians and recruitment challenges will continue to worsen healthcare deserts. Naturopathic doctors are capable and willing to fill these gaps. The bill will bridge healthcare gaps, promote medical freedom, and let NDs contribute where they are needed.
Ms. Belt responded to questions from the committee.
Stacey Lareau, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2366 (Attachment 5). Ms. Lareau provided personal stories of herself and her daughter and how a naturopathic care improved their lives and health.
Kelsey Klausmeyer, ND, provided testimony in support of HB2366 (Attachment 6). In his practice in Washington state, Dr. Klausmeyer manages a full primary care patient panel and safely prescribes legend drugs and Schedule III-V controlled substances. Prescriptive authority allows him to to diagnose and treat patients without unnecessary delays, manage medication interactions, de-prescribe when appropriate, and prevent avoidable emergency room visits. With passage Dr. Klausmeyer is willing to open a new clinic in Kansas. It was noted that malpractice rates for NDs are among the lowest of all healthcare professional.
Dr. Klausmeyer responded to questions from the committee.
Nick Reinecker, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2366 (Attachment 7). The bill would further codify the practice of holistic, naturopathic healthcare in Kansas with ancillary support of the use of nutraceuticals that have a long history of safe human use and are better understood than many newer synthetic alternatives. The bill will ensure Kansans have access to healthcare options that may be safer and more effective while maintaining rigorous standards.
Written only provided by:
Audrey Canaday, Private Citizen (Attachment 8)
Avery Altman, Private Citizen (Attachment 9)
Chandler Hedrick, Private Citizen (Attachment 10)
Chelsea Luetkemeyer, Private Citizen (Attachment 11)
Cody Strodtman, ND (Attachment 12)
Daniel Seitz, Executive Director, Council of Naturopathic Medical Education (Attachment 13)
Dennis Heaton, DO (Attachment 14)
Debbie Detmer, Private Citizen (Attachment 15)
Dr. Bradley Dyer, DO (Attachment 16)
Dr. Doyle Witt (Attachment 17)
Dr. Whitney Williams (Attachment 18)
Dr. William Simon (Attachment 19)
Emily Sells, Private Citizen (Attachment 20)
Jacqueline Arnold, ND (Attachment 21)
Jessica Mitchell, ND (Attachment 22)
Jessica Moffitt, Private Citizen (Attachment 23)
Julia St. Clair, ND (Attachment 24)
Luke Pringle, Private Citizen (Attachment 25)
Dr. Luke Wilson, ND (Attachment 26)
Kathryn Grace, ND (Attachment 27)
Haylee Nye, ND (Attachment 28)
Jasmine Braun, Private Citizen (Attachment 29)
Joleen Zivnuska, APRN (Attachment 30)
Kara Dubois, CNM (Attachment 31)
Karen Wheeler, APRN (Attachment 32)
Katelyn Janssen-Roberts, ND (Attachment 33)
Kim Gibson Clark, CEO, Earth Lab Holdings (Attachment 34)
Laura Culberson Farr, Executive Director, American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (Attachment 35)
Lauren Wilson, Private Citizen (Attachment 36)
Lorna Rogers, Private Citizen (Attachment 37)
Melissa Dixon, Private Citizen (Attachment 38)
Michelle Retz, ND (Attachment 39)
Natalie Gustafson, PharmD (Attachment 40)
Rachael DelToro, ND (Attachment 41)
Ryan Wood, ND (Attachment 42)
Sara Love, ND (Attachment 43)
Sarah Wasinger, CEO, The Hays Chamber (Attachment 44)
Sara Wilson, PT (Attachment 45)
Shawn Sharpley (Attachment 46)
Stephanie Nichols, ND (Attachment 47)
Iva Lloyd, Vice President, World Naturopathic Federation (Attachment 48)
Kansas Naturopathic Doctor's Association (Attachment 49)
Elaine Frisbie, Private Citizen (Attachment 50)