The American Association of

							                                                    The American Association of
                                                       Naturopathic Physicians
                                                                        Wellness and Health Reform
                                                                                        May, 2009

ACTION REQUEST: The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)
requests your co-sponsorship of H.Con.Res. 58 and the transformation of our disease
management system to one rooted in health and wellness.



111TH CONGRESS            H. CON. RES. 58
1ST SESSION

Expressing the sense of Congress that any effort to reengineer the healthcare
      system in the United States should incorporate sustainable wellness programs
      that address the underlying causal factors associated with chronic
      disease.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 24, 2009
Mr. LANGEVIN submitted the following concurrent resolution, which was
       referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.


Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress should ensure
that any reengineering of the healthcare system in the United States—
(1) incorporates sustainable wellness programs that address the underlying causal factors
associated with chronic disease;
(2) ensures that the public has access to strategies for improving individual health and increasing
individual capacity to engage in activities of daily living through lifestyle change, including
strategies relating to diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and stress reduction;
(3) provides patient-centered care that addresses personal health needs and uses a
multidimensional approach to encourage patients to improve their own wellness through lifestyle
changes and the use of scientifically-based therapies and outcomes-based treatments that
facilitate the inherent ability of the human body to maintain and restore optimal health; and
(4) utilizes clearly defined standards to determine when the implementation of wellness and
health promotion activities will be useful for each patient based on their individual diet, and
exercise habits.

Naturopathic physicians (NDs) are the physician-level experts on natural medicine and the use of herbs and
supplements. Trained in the basic medical sciences and conventional diagnostics, naturopathic education also
includes therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, natural childbirth, classical Chinese medicine,
hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy, pharmacology and minor surgery. NDs practice true preventive
and primary health care – engaging patients in health promotion and treating those with chronic disease to manage
the entirety of their health.