Washington, D.C. (December 6, 2012) – More than 25,000 people have signed a petition on the White House web site requesting that the health care reform law include naturopathic physicians. The White House promises to provide an official response to any petition that meets the 25,000 signature threshold.

Specifically, the petition calls on the federal government to ensure that naturopathic physicians be considered primary care physicians under the health care reform law, known as the Affordable Care Act. Naturopathic physicians are trained to educate patients and encourage self-responsibility for health and are experts in managing and coordinating care.

According to Jud Richland, CEO of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, “The White House petition is just the latest evidence demonstrating the breadth and depth of support for naturopathic physicians that exists across the country. We believe President Obama shares this view, and we are looking forward to the White House’s response affirming its support for unfettered access to the safe and effective whole-person care that naturopathic physicians deliver.”

If successfully implemented, the Affordable Care Act will increase access to licensed naturopathic physicians and make naturopathic care even more affordable.

Naturopathic physicians undergo rigorous medical schooling before they become licensed healthcare professionals. They attend four-year graduate-level programs at accredited institutions, where they are educated in the same biomedical sciences as allopathic physicians. For at least the final two years of their medical program, students intern in clinical settings under the close supervision of licensed professionals, learning various therapeutic modalities. NDs work in solo and group practices and in hospitals, clinics, and community health centers.