Established pursuant to Rule 31 of the Missouri Senate.

The committee shall consist of five members, three Republicans and two Democrats, and will be responsible for reviewing Naturopathic Medicine. The duties of the committee shall be to study:

1) the definitions and components of naturopathy and naturopathic medicine

2) the health, cultural and social significance of naturopathy

3) the effects of licensing and regulation of naturopathy

4) the distinctions between naturopathic therapies and conventional medical treatment

5) the extent to which there is, and can be, integration and coordination of natural therapies and conventional medical treatments

6) the potential fiscal impacts to both the state and private insurance companies regarding Medicaid coverage and mandates in relation to naturopathic medicine

The committee shall be staffed by counsel from Senate Research and may hold public hearings at locations to be determined by the chairman. Reasonable, actual and necessary expenses of the committee shall be reimbursed by the Missouri Senate.

The committee shall issue a report and make recommendations, as deemed appropriate by a majority of the members of the committee, to the general assembly for legislative action no later than January 20, 2006.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE