Topeka ? A bill that would license and regulate naturopathic doctors received political CPR last week to keep it alive  for now.

The measure, which has been strongly recommended by naturopathic doctors in Lawrence, gained Senate approval last month but became mired in hearings before a subcommittee of the House Health and Human Services Committee.

Late last week, the measure was gasping for air as it neared a legislative deadline to be voted on by the full committee.

Sensing the end was near, Rep. Garry Boston, R-Newton, chairman of the full committee, asked House Speaker Kent Glasscock, R-Manhattan, to bless the bill so lawmakers could continue working on the measure the final two weeks of the legislative session.

Glasscock did.

“We’re trying to make the best product for the state of Kansas. I think we’re very close to being there and I don’t know if we’ll ever be that close again,” Boston said.

Under the bill, the state would regulate naturopathic physicians, setting educational standards and detailing what they could and couldn’t do in their practices.

Naturopathic doctors, called N.D.s, say they study the same basic science as a medical doctor but spend years studying holistic therapies, such as acupuncture.

They also treat disease and ailments using herbs, minerals and other natural products, as well as through exercise and diet.

While the bill was in subcommittee, the measure gained opposition from some herbalists and health-food sellers. They said the bill would drive them out of business by giving naturopathic doctors exclusive rights to prescribe natural remedies and herbs.

But supporters of the bill proposed amendments they said would spell out that health food stores and herbalists could continue to sell their products.

Employees at the Community Mercantile in Lawrence supported the measure.

“There is nothing in the bill that would restrict the selling of supplements,” said Jeanie Wells, general manager at the store.

The overall bill is good for the state because it would protect the consumer by setting standards for naturopathy, she said.

But Rep. Jim Morrison, R-Colby, chairman of the subcommittee that conducted three days of hearings, said, “The bill means too many things to too many different attorneys. It creates definitions that are all new.”

Boston’s full committee has scheduled two days of hearings on the bill this week with supporters speaking Monday and opponents on Tuesday. Possible action on the bill is scheduled for Wednesday.

The bill on naturopathy is SB 610.