Naturopathic Medicine is
Primary health care
see a related article in the Portland Tribune

Scope of practice

In the state of Oregon naturopathic doctors are licensed with a scope of practice that empowers them to provide primary health care. NDs (naturopathic doctors) diagnose and treat disease, perform physical examinations, order laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging. NDs perform minor surgery, administer fluids and nutrition by IV, and even write prescriptions for pharmaceutical drugs -- all in addition to true health care, advising you on diet, lifestyle, restorative nutrition, home remedies, and herbal medicines.

A doctor that cares about you

Does your doctor know you, your entire health history and risk factors? Is your doctor concerned about protecting your financial well being as well as your physical health?

Does your doctor take the time to really listen to you and to evaluate whatever is bothering you, or just worrying you? Does your doctor approach even your most minor complaint with respect and sincerity? Does your doctor provide your health care personally and only refer you when you really need advanced care? Or do they routinely pass you on to expensive specialists and services?

When your condition is something you can treat yourself does your doctor teach you how to care for yourself? When a change in lifestyle is needed does your doctor help you understand why, provide you with tools, encourage you, and if needed, even cajole you a little? Is your doctor reluctant to reach for the prescription pad at every visit? When you are given a drug treatment is it meant to be temporary, used as part of a larger plan that if successful ends in health and no need for drugs? Is dependency on prescription drugs to manage symptoms an outcome your doctor wishes to avoid and minimize for you?

Do you have the right kind of doctor?

If the above doesn’t sound like your doctor, then perhaps you have been seeing the wrong kind of doctor. In Oregon your primary care doctor can be a naturopathic physician. In the greater Tualatin, OR area your primary care doctor can be a naturopathic physician at True Health Medicine, PC.

 

 

 

 

 

Health care costs are out of control

The cost of health care in the USA has grown from 5% of GDP in 1960 to more than 17% in 2010. In Oregon 34% of the population is without health insurance and growing. For the remaining 66% and shrinking the trend is towards ever higher annual deductibles and no financial access to the health producing concepts found in naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and physical medicine.

Those who would benefit most are denied care

To manage costs health insurance companies deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. This is a move that shifts costs away from the insurance company yet increases the total cost to the health care system. People with pre-existing conditions are better served with a broader concept of health care and access to frequent care to manage their condition and reduce the rate at which they require expensive major medical services.

The provider of last resort is the most expensive

Hospitals are required by law to attend to the needs of everyone that arrives at their emergency department. This mandate puts everyone involved at financial risk when the patient has no health insurance. In 2006 20% of USA emergency room visits were by uninsured individuals that could not find medical care elsewhere. Receiving care as an uninsured person at the emergency department is the most expensive source of primary care ~$1,000 for a minimum visit. Providing primary health care in the emergency department forces the hospital to write-off services as charity or bad debt, but only after first exhausting the individual’s ability to pay.

Health care pricing is not free-market based

The cash price set for health care services is aimed at negotiating the maximum reimbursement from insurance companies, not for market competition. The result is those without a health plan are the only ones ever expected to pay the inflated full price for health care services.

A health plan that provides fair prices

What’s missing is a way for people to directly access affordable primary health care. This is an urgent need for people with pre-existing conditions, high annual deductible health insurance, no health insurance, or no insurance coverage for health care that reaches beyond symptom management to promote true health and healing. The True Health Plan provides fair prices.