Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §3295-A is enacted to read:

§3295-A.__Naturopathic treatment and disclosure

A physician licensed under this chapter, who advertises as a provider of naturopathic medicine, as defined in section 12501, shall, with regard to patients specifically seeking naturopathic care:

1. Treatment.__Offer all appropriate naturopathic medical treatments before offering standard medical treatments, unless requested to do otherwise by the patient;

2.__Research.__Disclose to the patient any available research regarding the naturopathic medical treatments; and

3.__Insurance.__Disclose to the patient any limitations of the physician's malpractice insurance regarding naturopathic medical treatments.

SUMMARY

This bill requires that licensed physicians who advertise as providers of naturopathic medicine offer naturopathic medical treatments to patients seeking naturopathic care, provide research information to those patients and notify those patients of any limitations of the physician's malpractice insurance regarding naturopathic medicine.