WASHINGTON, August 14, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A
Naturopathic Clinic in Washington
has signed what is believed to be the first ever contract with a
benefits administrator of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
to provide services to veterans. This marks the first time that a
federal payor has recognized naturopathic doctors (NDs) as an
eligible provider type, although naturopathic doctors have been
providing medical care to vets paying out of pocket for
decades.
The campaign to help veterans gain access to naturopathic
doctors was spearheaded in 2014, under the leadership of Dr. Kasra
Pournadeali, then-President of the American Association of
Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). That five-year campaign has now
resulted in the VHA contracting with NDs in the community, and
hiring NDs to provide care.
"This culmination of our multi-year effort is a win for veterans
and the VHA alike, since the use of naturopathic physicians
improves outcomes, reduces cost, and increases patient
satisfaction," said Pournadeali. "Veterans who want to see a
physician trained in non-drug, drug, and nutritional options for a
full range of conditions can finally do so."
In addition to the contract credentialing an ND clinic to
provide care to veterans, the VHA has also hired NDs to oversee two
of its Whole Health initiative flagship locations; John S Finnell,
ND, MPH, LAc, at the South Texas Veterans Health Administration in
San Antonio, Texas, and Teri
Davis, ND, at the Tucson, AZ VHA
facility. Finnel's focus on public health, inter-professional
leadership, and clinical research prepared him for such an
appointment, while Davis had already been providing care to
veterans via referrals from the Southern Arizona VHA System, the
Tucson Vet Center, and the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
"Despite some barriers, our efforts had broad stakeholder
support," said Pournadeali. "Special thanks should go to
naturopathic students, members of Congress, the schools, and in
particular VHA leadership, specifically Stephen Ezeje-Okoye, MD,
former Deputy Chief of Staff, Palo Alto VA, and Benjamin Kligler, MD, MPH, Director of
Integrative Health and Coordinating Center, at the VA Central
Office."
AANP Executive Director Laura
Farr acknowledges that these relationships and contracts are
emerging and will be developing over time: "There are many details
to work out, but it is exciting to see that the VHA is finally
embracing the cost savings, disease prevention, and improved health
opportunities that naturopathic doctors can provide our nation's
veterans."
To learn more about the role that naturopathic doctors can play
in the VA, please visit the AANP's White Paper.
SOURCE American Association of Naturopathic Physicians