House Bill 2338 would license naturopaths as physicians and allow them to provide a full range of medical services to patients in Illinois, including caring for children; providing specialty care, such as gynecological services; and treating patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and
cancer.
Naturopaths do not have sufficient training to provide safe and effective medical care. Under House Bill 2338, the education required to be licensed as a naturopath would include attending an naturopathic accredited four-year school and completing only 4,200
hours of “clinical training,” which is simply time spent observing other naturopaths. Also, there is no residency program that naturopaths are required to complete.
Naturopathic education focuses much of its attention on botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy and counseling. There is no consistent application of evidence-based principles and scientific study for naturopathic treatments.