SB550

Hello, I encourage you all to support SB550 and give the public extra choice on how to use their health insurance benefits. Naturopathic medicine is a valid and helpful form of medical care that many people I know prefer to use, and having naturopaths reimbursable by insurance companies would be a great way of expanding access to health care throughout the state. This is a welcome public good and I hope you see it as such. Thanks, - Paul Mosier

This type of medicine should be covered by insurance. It's safer for people's individual health to use less invasive measures first, and to focus on the prevention of illness. This would ultimately safe the insurance companies/public health money. Long overdue!

I am in total support of this bill. Im a practicing Dr. of Chiropractic and a patient of a Dr. of naturopathy. I find the results of the health care provided to be essential as an alternative to traditional medicine. Please consider voting yes. Thank you Rep. David Lundgren.I apologize not making the hearing

Naturopathic medicine has been invaluable to my health. I would greatly appreciate that the huge amounts of money I spend each month on insurance cover services that I receive from my naturopath, that no other conventional doctor is able to provide.

I have partial coverage currently with Healthcare Reimbursement Account and my healthcare insurance coverage is much less for my husband’s employer or in the future, the financial burden on Medicare will be, because I see a naturopath. I have a chronic childbirth condition along with stressors created by societal norms (ie war) that is causing undue suffering in neck & shoulders. Please support naturopathic coverage with SB550.

Testimony in Support of SB 550 Dear Members of the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee, My name is Sandra Plourde, a resident of New Hampshire. I support SB 550 because it would improve patient access to licensed naturopathic doctors by requiring group insurance policies to cover their services. Our family has personally experienced the benefits of having alternative and integrative care covered under insurance. Years ago, we worked with a naturopathic doctor who helped us rethink healthcare through diet and lifestyle changes. We later saw a functional medicine MD who accepted insurance, allowing full coverage for visits and necessary lab testing. This data-driven, non-pharmaceutical approach was extremely helpful during a critical time. Life-saving. Unfortunately, that provider later stopped accepting insurance, and we found it much harder to continue accessing similar care. We’ve been in the system where coverage made integrative options affordable and practical, and we would very much like to be able to get back into it. The New Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors strongly supports this bill and estimates that expanding coverage could save insurance companies money without increasing premiums (https://nhand.org/legislation/). SB 550 would remove an unnecessary barrier for many New Hampshire families with group or employer-sponsored insurance, expanding real choice for patients who want access to naturopathic care. I understand concerns about mandates and costs, but from direct experience, having insurance coverage available for these services can make a meaningful difference in accessing personalized, preventive care. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sandra Plourde Keene, NH

Functional medical care is important to cover due to more intuitive investigation into root causes instead of symptoms

Naturopathic medicine is, in many cases, fully as effective as allopathic medicine (and with fewer side effects). It also is far more oriented towards solving the root cause of illness, rather than just medicating one symptom after another. Informed consent in treatment means that we should be able to choose what treatments we need, rather than being forced to use only one version by economics (since some insurance still won't cover naturopathic treatment). I can vouch for the efficacy of naturopathic treatment particularly for tick-borne diseases. Various allopathic doctors have insisted to me that Lyme disease either doesn't exist or is not serious; have completely missed Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever even when I pointed out the rash to them; have cut treatment short; have insisted that herbal and other treatments are useless. My naturopathic doctor gave me the tools to heal. I was able to self-pay for this extended treatment, but those who rely on insurance for their medical needs should not be capriciously denied effective naturopathic treatment!

Naturopathic doctors are licensed primary healthcare practitioners in New Hampshire. I have health insurance. Naturopathic medicine should be covered. Only 5.5% of NH residents have insurance plans guaranteed to cover naturopathic medicine. This creates an avoidable barrier to accessing naturopathic medicine. We want access to naturopathic medicine, without unnecessary financial burdens on families. We want equity among private insurance members. This bill also help reduce the healthcare provider shortage in our state. Licensed providers, inckuding NDs, should receive equitable treatment by insurance companies.Naturopathic Medicine is Cost-Effective, beneficial, and licensed in NH. Please VOTE YES on SB 550 to require insurance companies to cover Naturopathic Doctors under ALL private insurance plans in New Hampshire. Thank you!

I support this bill because I am a person who struggles to deal with MS. The work I do with my naturopathic doctor compliments my work with my neurologist. Supplements and other naturopathic methods have really helped to keep my symptoms under control. Please pass this bill! Thanks!

My family is fortunate enough to have health insurance through my husband's full-time work. We are even more fortunate that our policy covers naturopathic medicine, though as a specialist with a copay double the usual doctor visit. My son and I have had health issues that were unable to be resolved through our traditional doctors, despite trying, and were successfully addressed with naturopathic medicine. We have long relationships with our naturopathic doctors who have provided excellent care to us for over a decade. Naturopathic doctors play a valuable role in healthcare by emphasizing prevention, patient education, and a holistic approach to wellness. Their training integrates evidence-informed natural therapies with a focus on identifying and addressing underlying causes of illness rather than solely managing symptoms. By spending more time with patients and considering lifestyle, nutrition, and environmental factors, NDs support long-term health outcomes. Everyone should have access to this high level of care through their insurance.

Dear Government Officials, I am writing to advocate for the inclusion of naturopathic doctors in health insurance coverage, particularly for the healthcare of my children. As a concerned parent, I believe it is essential for our health insurance policies to reflect a more comprehensive approach to healthcare, one that includes the principles and practices of naturopathic medicine. I pay a significant amount for my health insurance, and I expect it to cover all options for the health and well-being of my children. The current medical system often focuses on treating symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes of illness. Naturopathic doctors, on the other hand, emphasize identifying and treating these root causes, promoting the body's innate ability to heal. This approach is particularly beneficial for children, as it supports their long-term health and well-being by fostering a strong foundation of wellness from an early age. Naturopathic medicine offers a holistic and preventive approach to healthcare that can reduce the reliance on pharmaceutical interventions. Therefore, I urge you to consider the immense value that naturopathic doctors bring to healthcare and to mandate their inclusion in health insurance coverage. By doing so, you will empower families like mine to make informed choices about their healthcare, promote a more comprehensive approach to medicine, and invest in the long-term health and well-being of our communities. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

I would like to express my support of SB550, which would require all private health insurance plans in New Hampshire to include coverage for licensed naturopathic doctors. As a resident of Merrimack, I believe this bill represents an important step toward equitable access to safe, evidence-informed, and holistic healthcare. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are rigorously educated, board-certified, and licensed providers who focus on prevention and collaborative care. Yet, despite their recognized credentials, many New Hampshire residents cannot afford to see an ND because their visits and recommended treatments are not covered by insurance—unlike similar services offered by physicians or nurse practitioners. Requiring insurance coverage would: • Expand patient choice and reduce barriers to integrative care. • Support early intervention and prevention, lowering long-term healthcare costs. • Keep New Hampshire competitive with neighboring states, many of which already include naturopathic coverage. It is estimated that expanding insurance coverage of naturopathic medicine will save insurance companies $20 million per year and will NOT increase premiums. Families like mine deserve the freedom to choose qualified providers who align with our health values without facing financial penalties for doing so. I respectfully urge you to pass SB550 and ensure that all insured Granite Staters have access to naturopathic care as part of a comprehensive and patient-centered health system. Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Colón

I support that Natural Pathetic Doctors and the community should be have better support with insurance coverage. Shouldn’t everyone have equal coverage when it comes to healthcare

Good Morning, I support this bill because I go to a Naturopath for some of my care since they are experts in chronic diseases. They need to be an option for every person no matter what Insurance they have. I am lucky, my company now covers my visits. I know people whose insurance does not. I have paid out-of-pocket in the past for naturopathic care including acupuncture. Insurance companies should not be allowed to discriminate between types of care that works best for the patient. A citizen of NH should not have to pay full premiums and be denied coverage for the care they need. Insurance is expensive enough without a person having to pay out-of-pocket as well. As for the insurance companies, I believe that they will save money by covering Naturopath visits. They can prevent a lot of problems which, in turn, cuts down on the number of times a person needs to be treated which, in turn, saves the insurance companies money overall. It is a win-win for all. Less disease, better health, less cost. Please support SB550.

I am a parent urging you to ensure that insurance coverage under SB 550 includes licensed naturopathic doctors. As a parent, I am expected to make the best possible decisions for my child’s health. But that responsibility is undermined when insurance limits access to qualified, licensed providers. If a naturopathic doctor is the right fit for my child, I should not be forced to choose between going into debt or going without care. That is not choice—that is restriction. These are state-licensed professionals. Excluding them from coverage is not about safety or quality—it is a limitation that directly impacts families. This is about fairness, access, and prevention. It is about giving parents the ability to do what we are already expected to do—care for our children responsibly. I ask you to support equitable coverage so families can make decisions based on what is right, not what is financially possible. Thank you.

I am writing as a parent to strongly urge you to ensure that insurance coverage under SB 550 includes licensed naturopathic doctors. As a parent, I am responsible for every decision that affects my child’s health. I research, I ask questions, and I choose care providers carefully. But right now, that choice is not truly mine—because insurance decides what care is accessible, not what is best. When a licensed naturopathic doctor may be the most appropriate provider for my child—especially for prevention, nutrition, or chronic concerns—I am forced to either pay entirely out of pocket or go without. That is not a real choice. That is a barrier. No parent should have to weigh their child’s well-being against financial strain. No parent should be pushed toward a one-size-fits-all approach when safe, licensed, and qualified alternatives exist. Naturopathic doctors focus on preventing illness, addressing root causes, and supporting long-term health. This is exactly the kind of care families need—care that keeps children healthier, reduces future medical costs, and supports a stronger healthcare system overall. This is not about choosing one type of medicine over another. It is about allowing families access to all appropriate, licensed providers so we can make the best decisions for our children. I am asking you to stand with parents and support fair, equitable insurance coverage under SB 550. Give families the ability to choose care based on what is right—not just what is covered. Our children deserve access to care that prioritizes their long-term health, not limitations imposed by outdated coverage policies.

I am deeply grateful that naturopathic care is covered under my insurance plan. Since beginning treatment with my naturopath, my health and overall wellbeing have improved in ways that conventional care alone did not achieve. Not everyone has access to this kind of care. A close neighbor of mine, who lives on a fixed income, is not experiencing meaningful results with her current provider but cannot afford to pursue naturopathic treatment out of pocket. She deserves the same opportunity to explore care that could improve her quality of life. Access to naturopathic medicine should not depend on financial means or insurance limitations. I strongly support expanding coverage so that anyone who wishes to pursue this type of care has the ability to do so, regardless of their insurance provider. Thank you for your time and consideration. Carrie Gargano Goffstown, NH

Hello, my name is Nancy Cassidy. I am here today in support of SB 550. For years, I wanted to see a Naturopath Dr., but being on NH medicaid, it didn't allow me to. In 2016, I had emergency surgery at a local hospital. Nearly 7 months later, I was admitted to this same hospital for yet another surgery. It turned out that the 1st surgery was a case of medical malpractice. I almost died at the hands of the same hospital that brought me into this world. After what I went through, I knew I had to seek out alternative care because Western medicine had almost ended my life. So, I searched and found Dr. Michelle Haff and began seeing her in February of 2020. At this time, I was paying out of pocket for me AND my twins, and it was expensive, but to me, it was worth it after all we had been through. For nearly 7 months, I paid out of pocket any time we needed to see her. I ended up getting married, and my husband's PRIVATE INSURANCE allowed me to see Dr. Haff more frequently. After YEARS of being dismissed by traditional doctors about my thyroid, Dr. Haff tested my thyroid and discovered I had Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disorder causing hypothyroidism. Without naturopathic care, I don't believe this would have ever been discovered. Having my private insurance cover naturopathic care has also allowed me to have acupuncture sessions multiple times a month, as Dr. Haff is also a certified acupuncturist. This has helped me with pain, anxiety, depression, and has even lightened up my abdominal scar left from the 2017 surgery. Without my private insurance covering naturopathic care, I could've never afforded to have so many visits with my Dr. I am now divorced and will lose my current private insurance at the end of 2027, but I will be looking for new insurance that I hope will cover my visits with my naturopathic Dr because you chose to sign this bill into law. Thank you Nancy Cassidy Allenstown NH

I am in favor of this bill as I believe in naturopathic medicine and treatment. I believe allopathic doctors are not addressing root causes and push pharmaceuticals. I use a more natural approach to my health and don’t feel I should have to pay out of pocket ( as I am now) to receive care. I worked my whole life and paid into social security only to be told my insurance now will not cover doctors I wish to use.

My son sees a naturopathic doctor and we are lucky our insurance covers it, but I know others aren't as lucky. This bill is only fair to people paying insurance premiums to get the kind of healthcare that works for them. Thanks for your consideration.

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