Health Insurance

I am deeply passionate about fixing a healthcare system that too often stands in the way of what truly helps people thrive.

I obtained my health insurance license on October 6, 2025. Even in these early months, I spotted major issues as I'm a quick study with a heart for fairness. One example hits close to home: I personally take Armour Thyroid—a natural desiccated thyroid medication that provides both T3 and T4 hormones in a more complete, natural way—because it works better for my body than the synthetic alternative, Synthroid. Yet insurance companies cover the synthetic version without hesitation, while patients like me are often stuck paying full price out-of-pocket for the natural option. Why the double standard?

I've also helped a few retirees navigate the Medicare program along the way, and it's clear the system has deep flaws—issues we'll tackle head-on in future discussions because Medicare itself needs drastic revamping. But right now, the barriers extend far beyond that: Licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs) in states like Oregon are experts in preventive, root-cause medicine—emphasizing nutrition, lifestyle, and holistic care to keep people healthy rather than just treating sickness. Yet Medicare (including Original Medicare Parts A and B) doesn't recognize NDs as eligible providers, so their services frequently go uncovered. Many private plans, Medicare Advantage options, and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies exclude them as primary care providers (PCPs) or add extra costs and restrictions, limiting access to care that could prevent chronic problems before they escalate.

This isn't about mandating coverage for everything or pushing full socialized medicine. It's about simple fairness and real patient choice. If a treatment is safe, prescribed by a licensed provider, and supported by diverse evidence—including long-term use, real-world patient outcomes, and expert consensus—insurers shouldn't discriminate just because it's "natural" instead of pharmaceutical. And qualified NDs should be able to serve as PCPs where state-licensed, without outdated rules blocking them.

These are exactly the kinds of systemic biases that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative is working to dismantle. MAHA is about a true shift: prioritizing prevention, integrative medicine, nutrition, and reducing over-dependence on Big Pharma. It's focused on what genuinely makes people healthier, not just what pads profits.

When elected to Congress, I'll introduce the Natural Treatment and Naturopathic Parity Act in the 120th Congress (starting 2027) to deliver these changes nationwide:

• Require all health insurance plans—including private group and individual plans, marketplace plans, Medicare Advantage (Part C), Original Medicare (via Parts A and B for related services), Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies—to cover evidence-based natural and holistic treatments—like natural desiccated thyroid—on equal terms with synthetics (no higher copays, no unnecessary prior authorizations or hurdles).
• Recognize licensed naturopathic doctors as eligible providers under Medicare Part B (for outpatient services such as consultations, preventive care, and therapies within their state-licensed scope), enabling them to act as primary care providers (PCPs) in state-licensed settings with fair coverage, reimbursement, and billing parity comparable to other primary care physicians. Medicare Supplement policies will provide corresponding cost-sharing parity for any covered Part B services furnished by NDs.
• Broaden "evidence" definitions to include real-world data, historical safety records, patient experiences, and expert consensus—countering the long-standing pharma dominance in research.

No new taxpayer spending—just common-sense parity to stop discrimination, promote prevention, and empower Americans to choose what works best for them.

I've seen these frustrations up close through my own journey, quick observations since getting licensed, and conversations with folks navigating the system. Retirees on fixed incomes, families in rural Oregon, and everyday Americans deserve a healthcare approach that respects health freedom and focuses on prevention over endless prescriptions.

If this speaks to you, let's turn frustration into action. Explore the full proposed bill language, read more about my platform across the site, share your own experiences, or support the campaign through donations or volunteering.

Together, we can advance MAHA principles and bring genuine health freedom to Washington—one fair choice at a time.

To require health insurance coverage parity for natural and holistic treatments and for services provided by licensed naturopathic doctors, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Natural Treatment and Naturopathic Parity Act of 2027".

SECTION 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) For over a century, natural and holistic treatments, such as natural desiccated thyroid hormone replacements, have been effective for many patients managing chronic conditions like hypothyroidism but have been understudied due to lack of financial incentives compared to synthetic pharmaceuticals. (2) Health insurers often deny or limit coverage for these treatments, citing inconsistencies or insufficient evidence, while readily covering synthetics—despite patient preferences and supportive data. (3) Licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs) provide preventive, integrative care aligned with Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) goals, yet are frequently excluded from insurance plans as covered providers or primary care providers (PCPs), particularly in Medicare and many private plans. (4) Requiring parity promotes patient choice, reduces discrimination, and supports MAHA's shift toward prevention—without new taxpayer expenditures or universal mandates.

SECTION 3. COVERAGE PARITY FOR NATURAL AND HOLISTIC TREATMENTS. (a) In General.—Section 2706 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-5), as amended by the Affordable Care Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following: "(d) Parity for Natural and Holistic Treatments.— (1) A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall provide coverage for natural or holistic treatments on terms no less favorable than those applicable to comparable synthetic or pharmaceutical treatments for the same condition. (2) Such coverage shall include no greater cost-sharing (copayments, coinsurance, deductibles), prior authorization requirements, or utilization management than for equivalent pharmaceuticals, subject to medical necessity review. (3) For purposes of this subsection, 'natural or holistic treatments' means therapies, including but not limited to natural desiccated thyroid extracts, dietary supplements, and integrative interventions— (A) prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider; (B) supported by diverse evidence of safety and efficacy, including peer-reviewed clinical studies, real-world patient outcomes, historical medical use, observational data, or expert consensus (as designated by the Secretary); and (C) not posing undue risk as determined by the Food and Drug Administration. (4) The Secretary shall establish expedited review processes for treatments with over 50 years of documented use, prioritizing those addressing chronic conditions like thyroid disorders. (5) Nothing in this subsection requires coverage of treatments lacking sufficient safety or efficacy data, or expands essential health benefits beyond current law."

(b) Application to Medicare and Other Programs.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall apply similar parity requirements to Medicare Advantage plans (under part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act) and other Federal health programs, to the extent feasible without increasing overall program costs.

(c) Guidance and List.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment, and annually thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, the MAHA Commission, and stakeholders (including patient advocates and integrative medicine experts), shall issue guidance and maintain a public list of qualifying natural or holistic treatments. This shall incorporate emerging evidence and address historical biases in research funding.

SECTION 4. PARITY FOR LICENSED NATUROPATHIC DOCTORS AS PROVIDERS AND PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS. (a) In General.—Section 2706 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-5) is further amended by adding at the end the following: "(e) Parity for Naturopathic Doctors.— (1) A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall provide coverage for services furnished by a licensed naturopathic doctor (ND) on terms no less favorable than those applicable to the same or similar services furnished by a physician (MD or DO). (2) Such coverage shall include recognition of licensed NDs as eligible primary care providers (PCPs) for purposes of plan designation, referrals, and care coordination, provided the ND is licensed in the state where services are rendered and acting within their scope of practice. (3) Coverage under this subsection shall apply to preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic services, including but not limited to holistic assessments, nutritional counseling, and natural therapies, subject to medical necessity and without greater cost-sharing or restrictions than for equivalent physician services. (4) Nothing in this subsection requires coverage for services outside an ND's state-licensed scope or expands essential health benefits beyond current law."

(b) Medicare Amendments.— (1) Section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(r)), defining "physician," is amended to include licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs) for purposes of Medicare coverage, to the extent they are licensed in the state and providing services within their scope. (2) The Secretary shall update Medicare regulations to allow licensed NDs to serve as primary care providers (PCPs) in Medicare Advantage plans and original Medicare, including for billing and reimbursement at rates comparable to primary care physicians for equivalent services.

(c) Guidance.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment, the Secretary shall issue guidance on implementing naturopathic parity, including reimbursement standards and integration with MAHA preventive care initiatives.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. The amendments made by this Act shall apply to plan years beginning on or after June 1, 2027.