Assembly Resolution No. 646

BY: M. of A. Ortiz

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
June 19-25, 2017, as Naturopathic Medicine Week in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, In the United States, more than 75 percent of health care
costs are due to preventable chronic illnesses; in New York State more
than 40 percent of adults suffer from a chronic disease, and in New York
State the chronic illnesses of heart disease and cancer account for over
half of all deaths; and

WHEREAS, The percentage of New York State adults who are overweight
or obese increased from 42% in 1997 to 61.3% in 2013; consequently, such
people are at risk for serious health conditions, such as high blood
pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and depression;
and

WHEREAS, 70 percent of people in the United States experience
physical or nonphysical symptoms of stress and stress can contribute to
the development of major illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease,
depression, and diabetes; and

WHEREAS, The aforementioned chronic health conditions are among the
most common, costly, and preventable health conditions; and

WHEREAS, Aspects of naturopathic medicine have been shown to lower
the risk of major illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes;
and

WHEREAS, Awareness of naturopathic medicine is increasing nationwide
with professional licensure offered by 17 states, including the
neighboring states of Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and
Pennsylvania, with the largest populations of licensed naturopathic
doctors being in California, Washington State, and Oregon; and

WHEREAS, 18 states and 21 USA jurisdiction, including the District
of Columbia. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, have some level of
regulation for the naturopathic profession; and

WHEREAS, Naturopathic medicine is a profession recognized by the
federal government with accrediting agencies approved by the Department
of Education for naturopathic doctors to attend 4-year graduate-level
accredited doctoral programs; and

WHEREAS, Naturopathic medicine, as being pursued in New York State,
is the facilitation of optimum health and wellness using naturopathic
assessment, common office procedures, physical naturopathy, approved
substances and noninvasive naturopathic therapies in a holistic
framework informed by naturopathic principles and a therapeutic order;
and

WHEREAS, While optimum health is facilitated for patients anywhere
along an entire spectrum of health, including for acute and chronic
illness, naturopathic medicine is particularly adapted for prevention of

chronic illness, and early intervention in the treatment of chronic
illness; and

WHEREAS, Naturopathic doctors administer patient-centered care to
facilitate the establishment of a health regimen, to stimulate
self-healing, processes, to improve function of weakened or damaged
systems and organs, to correct structural integrity, and to address
pathology; and

WHEREAS, Naturopathic doctors are trained to collaborate with other
naturopathic doctors, physicians, and health care providers and to refer
patients to members of the allied health professions to serve the
interests of the patient; and

WHEREAS, Naturopathic doctors evaluate a patient's circumstances of
health and illness, including by investigating the patient's health,
history, life style, determinants of health and genetic, and
environmental susceptibility to illness, and by comprehensive physical
examination; and

WHEREAS, The profession of naturopathic medicine is dedicated to
providing health care to various patient populations, including
underserved populations; and

WHEREAS, Naturopathic doctors can help address the shortage of
primary care providers in the United States and the State of New York;
and

WHEREAS, Naturopathic medicine has the potential to provide
consumers in New York State with more choice in health care and offer
alternative, complementary and integrative care services in the various
patient care venues of New York State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes that naturopathic medicine
provides safe, effective, and affordable health care, and the citizens
of the State of New York be educated about naturopathic medicine and the
role that naturopathic doctors play in preventing chronic illness and
facilitating optimum health and wellness; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 19-25, 2017, as
Naturopathic Medicine Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.