Alternative Health Providers Find Haven in ‘No-Rules’ Idaho

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Alternative health providers are expanding in Idaho to meet patient needs as certified medical doctors have remained in short supply over the years.

The Idaho Statesman reports that highly debated naturopathic physicians are not licensed in Idaho. State lawmakers attempted to enforce licensing in 2005 by passing legislation, but those efforts were shut down two years later after conflicts arose over educational requirements.

Idaho lawmakers once again attempted returned to the education standards issue earlier this year, but this time they opted to repeal the law requiring licensing. According to Diana Crumrine of Boise-based Foothills Family Medicine, Idaho is home to hundreds of naturopathic physicians, but few of them hold degrees from accredited programs.