June 9, 2005 - Washington, DC - Representatives  Christensen of VI and Sanchez from CA become the 38th and 39th co-sponsors of the MediCare Acupuncture Bill, H.R. 818.

By Bob Marcus, CAOMA MediCare Lobbyist

Christensen of Virgin Islands

June 7, 2005, Representative Donna M. Christensen (D), Virgin Islands, became the 37th co-sponsor of H.R. 818.  Her co-sponsorship of the Hinchey Bill brings the number of U. S. territories, whose congressional delegation co-sponsors the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act of 2005, to two.  The Virgin Islands joins Guam.  There continue to be 17 states, who have co-sponsors of H. R. 818.

Sanchez of California

On Thursday, June 9, 2005, Rep. Linda T. Sanchez (D), 39th district, California, and Member of the Government Reform Committee, which has jurisdiction over H. R. 818, became the 38th co-sponsor of the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act of 2005.  Rep. Sanchez becomes the 8th member of the full Government Reform Committee to co-sponsor the Hinchey Bill.  All 8 members of this committee who are co-sponsors of H. R. 818. are Democrats.  There are 41 members of the full committee.

Rep. Linda T. Sanchez becomes the 10th member of the California congressional delegation to co-sponsor H. R. 818.

There are 53 elected House Representatives from California. 8 California co-sponsors are Democrats.  2 California co-sponsors are Republicans.