On Wednesday, September 29 I had the opportunity to testify on my bill, 2021 Senate Bill 532 (SB 532), before the Senate Committee on Insurance, Licensing and Forestry.
SB 532 seeks to improve patient access to care and expand patient choice by licensing qualified naturopathic doctors (NDs). Under the bill, NDs scope of practice will include:
Diagnosis and treatment
Conducting physical exams
Ordering and interpreting labs and imaging
Diet and lifestyle counseling
Use of naturopathic therapeutics
Prescribing medications consistent with primary care
Allowing naturopathic doctors to practice with the scope under the bill will allow them to better help the patients that seek their care. Under current law, naturopathic doctors who are licensed in other states and practicing in Wisconsin are precluded from diagnosing and treating conditions, conducting physical exams, ordering labs or imaging, and prescribing medications. Yet, all of these practices are within the scope of the education and training they receive under programs accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. Giving naturopathic doctors the ability to practice to the full extent of their training will benefit patients in our state.
This bill will also provide for patient safety by establishing the Naturopathic Medicine Examining Board under the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), which will determine and uphold the ethical standards of the practice of naturopathic medicine. This will promote public safety by establishing educational requirements, examinations, and annual continuing education requirements for NDs.
Patients choose naturopathic doctors because they understand the length and scope of their training, accreditation, competency, and commitment to public safety. This bill will codify what naturopathic doctors are already trained to do and are licensed to do in 22 other states and allow patients the opportunity to confidently choose naturopathic care.
I hope to have the opportunity to testify on the Assembly companion bill, 2021 Assembly Bill 529 (AB 529), in the Assembly Committee on Health in the near future.
Congratulations, Josh Rich!
On Wednesday evening I had the opportunity to attend an event honoring Eagle Scout Josh Rich for his completion of all 137 merit badges. This is a tremendous achievement, as less than one percent of scouts nationwide complete all of the merit badges. Josh even had a Spectrum News 1 article written about his achievements!
Please join me in congratulating Josh on his accomplishments!
School Transparency and Civic Education
On Tuesday we were on the floor to consider an education package which included promoting transparency in school spending and curriculum, ensuring Wisconsin’s students are receiving civics education, and increasing funding for youth mental health grants.
Senate Bill 373 (SB 373) creates a school expenditure transparency portal, which would be accessible to all Wisconsin taxpayers on the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) website. The portal would utilize information that DPI already collects from school districts, so there would be no new reporting requirements for schools. The portal would serve as a tool for members of the public, parents, and teachers to see what funding their school is receiving and where the money is going.
Senate Bill 463 (SB 463) requires school districts to post syllabi, outlines, and handouts used for student instruction at each school on the school district’s website. Under the bill, school districts must also post any district policies or procedures for reviewing or approving these materials and activities.
Assembly Bill 563 (AB 563) requires schools to incorporate civics education in elementary through high school grades. Curriculum and instruction would have to include teaching about shared rights and responsibilities as citizens of the U.S., how to engage in government at the local, state, and federal levels, and history and content of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
Assembly Bill 564 (AB 564) directs the governor to allocate at least $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to create a school mental health grant program. The COVID-19 pandemic has been detrimental to the mental health of our school-aged children. A recent poll of parents throughout the country showed that over 70% of parents believe that the pandemic and isolation are taking a toll on their child’s mental health. This investment would help give schools the resources they need to help kids overcome the challenges they have faced over the past year and a half.
These bills address several important aspects of the K-12 education system, and I look forward to seeing them continue to move through the legislative process.
Seeking Nominations for First Responder of the Year!
I am seeking nominations from our community for the upcoming 2021-22 First Responder of the Year Award! You can nominate a deserving police officer or sheriff’s deputy, a firefighter, or any level of EMS provider. The person you nominate can be either a paid or volunteer public servant. To have your local hero be considered, please submit your nomination using this website formno later than Friday, October 8th, 2021.
Don’t Miss These In-District Events!
Lights on Edgewood (101.5 FM) – Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm (throughout the month of October) – 1322 Edgewood Ave, South Milwaukee https://www.facebook.com/LIGHTSONEDGEWOOD/
South Milwaukee Downtown Market – Thursdays from 3-7pm (through October 14) – 11th and Milwaukee Avenues, South Milwaukee https://www.smmarket.org/events/
South Milwaukee Crusherfest 2021 – Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10, varying times – 1101 Milwaukee Ave, South Milwaukee https://dacrusher.org/
