Current Actions

Protect the Future for ND Students: Keep Naturopathic Medicine Defined as a Professional Degree

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Education is moving forward with a proposed rule that seeks to narrow the definition of "professional degree." The draft restrictive definition only includes 11 professions, and excludes the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree, along with all of nursing, PAs, PTs, LAcs, and many others.

This move stems from an effort to rein in student loan debt and tuition costs as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. However if this rule is finalized, the ND degree would be reclassified as a "graduate degree," and naturopathic medical students would only be eligible for $20,500/year or $100,000/lifetime in federal loans - or less than half the amount of loans as conventional medical students.

This change would place an impossible burden on aspiring Naturopathic Doctors, forcing many to rely on higher-interest private loans or abandon their education, which will result in fewer NDs available to serve patients.

It is critical to note that the Department of Education first classified the Naturopathic Doctor degree as a first professional degree in 2003, recognizing the rigorous, necessary training it provides to prepare students to be primary care providers. This proposed rule reverses over two decades of federal recognition, and actively undermines our healthcare workforce pipeline.

The Ask: Full Inclusion of Naturopathic Doctors

We urge Congress and the Department of Education to revise the proposed definition of "professional degrees" to explicitly include the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree, in keeping with two decades of established classification, and the parameters they set forth for professions; naturopathic medicine meets them all.

The Action: Contact Your Congressional Representatives TODAY

Your voice is the most powerful tool we have. We need to flood Congress with letters emphasizing the crucial role of NDs in the primary care landscape and the devastating impact this reclassification would have on patient access, especially at a time when the nation is just beginning to prioritize the kind of preventive and whole-person health that is the core of naturopathic practice.

Take a minute to send an email sharing your story to your specific Representative and Senators.

Veterans Support Naturopathic Care in Missouri

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Veterans, your voice matters. You've fought for freedom—now fight for access to the healthcare you deserve. Tell your state representatives it's time to license Naturopathic Doctors in Missouri. Demand real choices in your care.

Take action now: Send an email by filling out the simple form below. Speak up. Be heard.

Support House Bill 2159 to License Naturopathic Doctors in Missouri!

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Missouri still doesn’t license Naturopathic Doctors — and that limits your freedom to choose holistic, qualified care. You can help change that in just a few clicks. This isn't about wishing for change, it's about demanding it. Every email builds our case to bring Naturopathic Care to Missouri the right way. Lawmakers need to know Missourians care — and we’re watching.

1. Enter your name and address below
2. Click send to deliver the pre-written message to your Missouri State Legislators. (it's sharp and professional, but you can tweak it if you'd like)

Support Medicaid Coverage of NDs Nationwide

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Only 5 states currently cover the services of Naturopathic Doctors in Medicaid: Vermont, Connecticut, Washington, Oregon and New Mexico, despite the fact that evidence shows that care by naturopathic doctors can improve health outcomes and decrease costs because of our focus on prevention, whole health, nutrition and lifestyle medicine. Congress can direct the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services to require that any state that receives federal funding for Medicaid must credential and cover the services of Naturopathic Physicians. States that currently cover NDs in Medicaid can urge their congressional delegation to share their state's successful incorporation of NDs to other states. And congressional members in states that license NDs but don't yet cover the services of NDs in Medicaid would greatly benefit by providing patients more choices to see a healthcare provider that focuses on prevention. Expanding Medicaid coverage of NDs is also a step toward federal recognition of NDs in other federal programs like Medicare.

Please urge your representatives to support Medicaid coverage of NDs in all states where NDs are licensed!

Naturopathic Medicine: Fight for Your Health Freedom in Kansas--We Win, You Win.

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Send a message to your Kansas legislators to demand support for full access to naturopathic care and medical freedom.

1. Enter Your Address & Find Your Rep

2. Craft Your Message. Use our pre-written email or adjust it to include your story and voice

3. Hit Send. When enough of us speak, they have to listen.

Send a Message To Congress

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

We need patients, naturopathic medical students, licensed naturopathic doctors, and other allied health professionals and advocates to let their elected officials know that we need to eliminate federal obstacles that prevent licensed naturopathic doctors from being a greater asset to our healthcare system.

Support Licensure of Naturopathic Physicians in Illinois

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT

CALL-TO-ACTION - Urge the Illinois Senate Licensed Activities Committee to support licensure of Naturopathic Physicians in Illinois!

MDs who Support Licensure for NDs: Share your story with legislators!

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT

The Wisconsin Naturopathic Doctors Association needs your support! We are collecting written testimony from MDs and DOs who are in support of licensure for NDs. We plan to share your written testimony at our Senate hearing on Wednesday, September 29 at noon.

Please take a few minutes to show your support by sharing with the members of the Senate Committee on Insurance, Licensing and Forestry what your experience has been with qualified, medically-trained NDs and why you support licensure for NDs. Here are some guidelines/questions to ponder:

Share about your practice- where do you practice and in what capacity?
In what instances have you worked with qualified NDs?
How do you see ND medical care fit into the spectrum of patient care?
How do qualified NDs demonstrate they are competent providers?
How does licensure improve health care for Wisconsinites?
How does licensure improve public safety for Wisconsinites?
Would you like to have more qualified NDs to refer to, collaborate with?
Would you like Wisconsinites to have increased access to qualified ND care?

Anything else you'd like to share, please do. We are very grateful for your support and willingness to demonstrate it to the legislature.

Urge your legislators to co-sponsor ND licensing bill

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Wisconsin's Naturopathic Doctors need your help! Our bill to license NDs is circulating for co-sponsorship until Wednesday, July 21. Contact your legislators today and urge them to sign on in support of LRB-2859/1 and LRB-3998.

Support Licensure for Naturopathic Doctors in Wisconsin

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT

License Naturopathic Doctors in Texas

Thu, 13 Dec 2018 05:00:00 GMT

Support licensure of Naturopathic Doctors in Texas!

Email Your New York Legislators

Mon, 23 May 2016 04:00:00 GMT

Email a letter to both your New York Senator and Assembly person in support of licensing Naturopathic Physicians.