- Florida is one of three U.S. states that prohibit naturopathy. The ban limits access to holistic healthcare, making Florida an outlier compared to 23 states and three jurisdictions that license naturopathic doctors (NDs).
- The Florida Naturopathic Physicians Association is pushing for the legalization of naturopathy through bills HB 533 and SB 470, aiming to address the chronic disease epidemic.
- The Florida Medical Association opposes the bills, raising concerns about ND qualifications and safety, while advocates highlight the rigorous training and proven track record of NDs.
- Organizations such as Children's Health Defense and others support the bills, emphasizing the role of naturopathy in chronic disease management and the need to expand healthcare provider options in Florida.
For over six decades, Florida has held the dubious distinction of being one of only three states in the U.S. where practicing naturopathy is prohibited. Naturopathy is also considered illegal in the states of South Carolina and Tennessee.
But as chronic diseases rise and Floridians seek alternatives to pharmaceutical-based medicine, the time has come to legalize naturopathy and restore medical freedom to the Sunshine State.
This harsh stance, rooted in a 1958 decision to sunset the licensing of Naturopathic Doctors (NDs), has left countless practitioners and patients in the shadows, stifling access to holistic, natural healthcare options. The Florida Medical Association (FMA) has maintained a stranglehold on the issue since the 1950s, effectively blocking efforts to reintroduce naturopathy as a licensed practice.
In 1958, the state legislature stopped issuing new ND licenses, leaving only a handful of grandfathered practitioners. The last licensed ND in Florida, Dr. Robert Geldner, passed away in 2010 – marking the end of an era. Since then, anyone using the term "naturopathy" or practicing it in any form has risked felony charges – creating a climate of fear and hostility for practitioners and patients alike.
This outdated law has left Florida as an outlier in the nation. Currently, 23 states and three U.S. jurisdictions acknowledge licensed NDs, recognizing their role in addressing the root causes of disease through lifestyle changes, nutrition and natural therapies.
Yet, in Florida, even traditional naturopaths who practice freely in every other state are barred from offering their services. This not only denies Floridians access to alternative healthcare, but also perpetuates a system that prioritizes pharmaceutical interventions over holistic healing.
The Florida Naturopathic Physicians Association (FNPA) has been working tirelessly to change this. Over the past year, the FNPA has collaborated with over a dozen state, national and international organizations to introduce two bills – HB 533 and SB 470 – aimed at legalizing naturopathy and reinstating ND licensure in Florida. These bills represent a critical step toward addressing the state's growing chronic disease epidemic.
Why legalizing naturopathy is a win for patients
Opponents, including the FMA, argue that licensing NDs would allow "unqualified persons" to practice medicine. A January 2007 position paper by the association cites concerns about inadequate training and the potential for harm.
However, this argument overlooks the rigorous education and accreditation standards required of NDs. Accredited naturopathic medical programs involve four years of graduate-level training, including clinical rotations, and graduates must pass rigorous board exams to practice. The fear-mongering surrounding naturopathy ignores the fact that NDs are already licensed and trusted in nearly half the country, providing safe and effective care to millions.
Children's Health Defense, a prominent advocate for medical freedom, has thrown its support behind HB 533 and SB 470, emphasizing the need for Floridians to have access to naturopathic care. "Too many Floridians are facing the burden of our growing chronic disease epidemic," the organization's Florida chapter stated in a Feb. 14 statement. "Traditional naturopaths and NDs are critical to addressing this epidemic as naturopathy focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease through lifestyle changes." (Related: Would Americans be healthier if all doctors were required to learn about nutrition?)
Florida's provider gap further underscores the need for change. Many trained and licensed NDs currently living in Florida are unable to practice, despite being qualified to help address the state's healthcare challenges. Legalizing naturopathy would bring these practitioners out of the shadows, allowing them to contribute to the health and well-being of their communities.
The time has come for Florida to join the majority of states that recognize the value of naturopathy. By passing HB 533 and SB 470, the Florida Legislature can turn the page on a decades-old chapter of fear and restriction, embracing a future of medical freedom, choice and holistic healing. Floridians deserve access to the full spectrum of healthcare options – naturopathy included.
Watch this clip from Bastyr University that explains what is naturopathy.
This video is from the Corruption Exposure channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
How three naturopathic doctors cured cancer.
Sources include:
CDN.CenterForInquiry.org [PDF]
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