| 47th, 48th, & 49th Co-Sponsors from Pennsylvania, California, New Mexico |
| September 27, 2005 - Washington, DC - Representatives Robert Brady of Pennsylvania, Hilda Solis of California, and Tom Udall of New Mexico, become the 47th, 48th, and 49th co-sponsors of H.R. 818. |
| 45th & 46th MediCare Co-Sponsors from Texas, Maryland |
| September 20, 2005 - Washington, DC - Representatives Ron Paul of Texas and Roscoe Bartlett of Mayland become the 45th and 46th co-sponsors of H.R. 818. |
| A Message to Acupuncturists from Robert Marcus |
| August 10, 2005 - Washington, DC - Lobbyist Robert Marcus pleas for help in the passage of HR 818. |
| 43rd & 44th MediCare Co-Sponsors from Oregon, New York |
| July 12, 2005 - Washington, DC - Representatives DeFazio of Oregon and Maloney of New York become 43rd & 44th co-sponsors of H.R. 818. |
| 30-Year Celebration Banquet a Big Success |
| July 10, 2005 - San Francisco, CA - Over 500 supporters attended the 30-year celebration of California acupuncturist licensure. |
| 42nd MediCare Co-Sponsor from CA Signs on for Fifth Time |
| June 30, 2005 - Washington, DC - Representative Dana Rohrabacher of California become the 42nd co-sponsor of H.R. 818. |
| A Message from CAOMA Lobbyist Sandy Carey |
| June 28, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - A brief note from CAOMA lobbyist Sandy Carey reminding us that our battles are still not over. |
| 4 of 5 Yee Bills Pass Senate Committee |
| June 27, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Four of five Yee bills passed the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee today. |
| AIMS Loses Lobbyist |
| June 24, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - Secretary of State reports that former AIMS lobbyist Steve English had terminated lobbying services for AIMS on May 20. |
| Three New MediCare Co-Sponsors from CA, FL, MA |
| June 22, 2005 - Washington, DC - Representatives Honda of CA, Brown of FL, and Olver of MA became bring co-sponsorhip of the Acupuncture MediCare legislation to 41. |
| A Message to Acupuncturists from Robert Marcus |
| August 10, 2005 - Washington, DC - Lobbyist Robert Marcus pleas for help in the passage of HR 818. |
| Yee Bills Amended, Set for Hearing on June 27 |
| June 15, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - All five Yee bills are set for hearing on June 27 in the Senate with three amended to conform to each other. |
| 38th and 39th Co-Sponsors of MediCare Bill from VI, CA |
| 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. |
| CAOMA to Celebrate 30th Anniversary of Acupuncturist Licensure |
| June 3, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA organizes 30th anniversary celebration of licensure on July 10 with Governor Jerry Brown in San Francisco. |
| CAOMA to Meet with Los Angeles Times Journalist |
| June 2, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA to meet with LA Times political journalist to rebut article. |
| LA Times Unable to Substantiate Claims Against Acupuncture Board |
| May 30, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - The Los Angeles Times published an article critical of the California Acupuncture Board and profession. |
| 24 Co-Sponsors of 2004 MediCare Bill Remain Uncommitted in 2005 |
| August 24, 2005 - Washington, DC - 24 Co-sponsors of H. R. 1477 from the 2003/2004 Session of Congress are still not co-sponsors of H.R. 818 in the current 109th Congress |
| CAOMA and Profession Succeed in Stalling Figueroa Bill |
| May 27, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - The letters, calls, faxes, and meetings finally paid off for California's Licensed Acupuncturist profession when SB 233 stalled in committee. |
| Three New Co-Sponsors of MediCare Bill from NJ, VA, MD |
| May 26, 2005 - Washington, DC - Representatives Holt of NJ, Moran of CA, and Van Hollen of MD bring number of co-sponsors of H.R. 818 to 36. |
| 45th & 46th MediCare Co-Sponsors from Texas, Maryland |
| September 20, 2005 - Washington, DC - Representatives Ron Paul of Texas and Roscoe Bartlett of Mayland become the 45th and 46th co-sponsors of H.R. 818. |
| Link to: Assemblyman Yee Press Release on Legislation |
| Link to Assemblyman Yee's official press release on Assembly passage of acupuncture legislation. |
| Yee Bills Pass Assembly |
| May 16, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - The three remaining Yee bills - AB 1113, AB 1114, and AB 1116, passed the Assembly Floor today. |
| CAOMA Declines SB 233 Proposal, Requests Amendments |
| May 16, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA President Michelle Lau delivered CAOMA's response to Senator Figueroa's office. |
| CAOMA Meets with Senator Figueroa Regarding SB 233 |
| May 11, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA representatives met with Senator Figeuroa today to discuss amending SB 233. |
| SB 233 Amended to Prohibit Legitimate Diagnoses by Acupuncturists |
| May 4, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - SB 233 was amended with CMA language that effectively prohibits acupuncturists from diagnosing patients' conditions. |
| Oregon's Earl Blumenauer 33rd Co-Sponsor of MediCare Bill |
| April 26, 2005 - Washington, DC - Representative Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from the 3rd District of Oregon, becomes 33rd co-sponsor of H.R. 818. |
| Huge Turnout at Capitol Rally |
| April 25, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - 400-500 acupuncturists, patients, students, and supporters turned out for Anti-SB 233 Rally. |
| Senator Slates Acupuncture Board for Elimination, CAOMA to Fight Back |
| April 18, 2005 - Sacramento, CA - SB 233 was amended by Senator Figueroa to eliminate the California Acupuncture Board as of January 1, 2006. |
| 8 New Representatives Co-Sponsor MediCare Bill |
| Mar. 11, 2005 - Washington, DC - Representatives from FL, AZ, IL, NY, GU, MD, and CA singed on to co-sponsor HR 818 in the three weeks since its introduction. |
| Hinchey Reintroduces Legislation to Expand Acupuncture Coverage |
| Feb. 22, 2005 - Washington, DC - Hinchey reintroduces the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act for 2005 |
| Hinchey Set to Introduce Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act of 2005 |
| Feb. 10, 2005 - Washington, DC - Hinchey Set to Re-introduce Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act with 23 Co-Sponsors! |
| 108th Congress Ends with a Record 63 Co-Sponsors on Acupuncture Bill |
| Dec. 30, 2004 - Washington, DC - 108th Congress Ends with 63 Representatives Co-sponsoring the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act |
| AMA Publishes New CPT 2005 Acupuncture Codes |
| October 27, 2004 - The AMA has recently released its new 2005 CPT codes, which include a significant change to the acupuncture and electroacupuncture codes. |
| MediCare Bill Alive and Well with 52 Co-Sponsors |
| Sept 21, 2004 - Washington, DC - MediCare Bill Alive and Well with 52 Congressional Co-sponsors |
| MediCare Lobbyist Needs Help from New Mexico |
| Dec. 1, 2003 - Washington, DC - The Federal Acupuncture (in MediCare) Coverage Act Needs Citizen Support |
| California Takes Leads Promoting MediCare Coverage for Acupuncture |
| October 15, 2003 - CAOMA and AOMNC Challenge Practitioners from California and other States to Support the Hinchey Federal Acupuncture Bill |
| CCAOM Paid $63,000 to Lobbyist to Oppose California's Acupuncturists |
| October 15, 2003 - Sacramento, CA - The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) paid over $63,000 during 2002-2003 to a lobbyist firm to counter efforts of California's licensed acupuncturists to improve the profession. |
| Lobbyist Reports on MediCare and Acupuncture |
| July 27, 2003 - Washington DC - CAOMA and AOMNC took the lead to gain coverage for qualified acupuncturist services under Medicare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program |
| CAOMA Commits to MediCare Coverage for Acupuncture |
| July 22, 2003 - CAOMA and AOMNC contract with advocate Bob Marcus and Associates to gain coverage for qualified acupuncturist services under Medicare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program |
| 2003 MediCare Campaign Gets Underway |
| May 18, 2003 - Los Angeles, CA - Representing the interests of acupuncturists nationwide, CAOMA and AOMNC signed a contract with fund-raiser/lobbyist Bob Marcus to take the Acupuncture Coverage Act of 2003 to its next step - moving through Congress and into the law books. |
| CCAOM Lobby Firm Paid $45,000 in 2002 to Control Educational Improvements |
| February 15, 2003 - Sacramento, CA - Working in concert with ACAOM and NCCAOM, the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) paid over $45,000 during 2002 to for a lobbyist to oppose legislation sponsored by California's licensed acupuncturists |
| CCAOM Paid Over $30,000 to Oppose Educational Improvements |
| Nov. 1, 2002 - Sacramento, CA - Working in concert with ACAOM and NCCAOM, the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) paid over $30,000 during 2002 to for a lobbyist to oppose legislation sponsored by California's licensed acupuncturists. |
| Governor Davis Signs Chu Acupuncture Education Bill |
| September 23 - Sacramento, CA - Today, Governor Gray Davis signed landmark legislation by Assemblywoman Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) that will increase curriculum hours for students who enter acupuncture training programs beginning January 1, 200 |
| Landmark Legislation Sent to Governor Davis |
| Aug 28, 2002 - Sacramento, CA - The California State Legislature passed landmark acupuncture legislation by Assemblywoman Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) that will increase curriculum hours for students who enter an acupuncture school on or after January 1, 2005. The bill has been sent to Governor Davis for his signature. |
| NCCAM Announces New Advisory Council |
| August 23, 2002 - Washington, DC - The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) welcomed six new members to its National Advisory Council on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. . |
| California Legislative Update |
| June 30, 2002 - Sacramento, CA - CAOMA's SB 573 (insurance) and SB 1705 (workers compensation) died in committee this week. SB 577 (alternative medicine), SB 1750 (ephedra labeling), SB 1951 (Acupuncture Board), SB 2019 (student loans) passed votes in committees. AB 1943 (education), scheduled to be heard on July 1 with new author amendments, was postponed again until August. |
| Nature's Way Recalls Nettle Capsules |
| June 28, 2002 - Springville, UT - Nature's Way Products, Inc. is recalling four lots of its 100 count Nature's Way brand Nettle capsules because the product contains excessive amounts of lead. People, especially children, who consume high levels of lead can suffer serious damage to their central nervous systems, sometimes leading to permanent neurological damage. The affected lots of the product were distributed nationwide primarily in health food retail establishments between October 2001 and May 2002. The lot numbers affected by this recall are 131237, 131238, 140738 and 215229. |
| New York Legislative Update |
| June 27, 2002 - The New York acupuncturist profession managed to put off Podiatry acupuncture bill for another year. |
| More BotanicLab Herbal Products Recalled |
| June 6, 2002 - Sacramento - Consumers should immediately stop using the BotnicLab herbal dietary supplements Arthrin, HepaStat, Neutralis, OA Plus, Osporo, Poena and RA SPES because they contain undeclared prescription drug ingredients that could cause serious health effects if not taken under medical supervision, State Health Director Diana M. Bontá, R.N., Dr.P.H., said today. |
| New York - ASNY Calls Urgent Town Hall Meeting for May 23 |
| May 19, 2002 - ASNY will hold a “Town Hall” meeting for the entire New York acupuncture community on May 23 to discuss the podiatric certification bill, chiropractic certification, registered specialist’s assistant in acupuncture, acupuncture insurance parity, and the laser bill. More.... |
| California - Acupuncture Board Supports 3000-Hour Curriculum |
| May 13, 2002 - Los Angeles - The California Acupuncture Board votes to accept the Task Force recommendations for a minimum of a 3000 hour curriculum, and sends a request to the Joint Legislative Committee asking for consideration for the Board's needs. More..... |
| California - Legislative Committee Votes to Renew Acupuncture Board |
| May 1, 2002 - Sacramento - The Joint Legislative Sunset Review Committee, under the direction of Senator Liz Figueroa, reluctantly allows the Acupuncture Board to continue its existence, in spite of the Board's clean record, continued improvements, and renewed dedication to excellence. More..... |
| New York - Podiatrist Acupuncture Bill Reaches Assembly Floor |
| April 27, 2002 - Bills that would allow Podiatrists and Chiropractors to practice acupuncture, and other bills potentially harmful to the acupuncturist profession, have been introduced, and are moving forward in the New York Legislature. More ...... |
| California - Task Force Recommends New Curriculum |
| April 24, 2002 - Sacramento - After nine months and five productive all-day meetings, the Task Force on Professional Competencies and Educational Outcomes submitted its 3000-hour curriuclum proposal to the Acupuncture Board for its review. More..... |
| California - Acupuncturist-Sponsored Bills Move Forward |
| April 24, 2002 - Senate Bill 1705 and Assembly Bill 1943 moved through their first committees. SB 1705 passed on a party-line 5-3 vote. AB 1943 passed 7-3 and 13-4 with bipartisan support. More ...... |
| USA - FDA Warns that Kava Products May be Associated with Liver Damage |
| March 25, 2002 - The U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration asks health care professionals to watch for, and report any incidences of liver disease that may be attributed to the consumption of dietary supplements containing kava. More . . . |
| California - Assembly Bill 1943 Support Info Online |
| March 22, 2002 - Sacramento - Information about the education bill, including and analysis, and support letters, is now available. More..... |
| Chinese Medicine Day a Huge Success! |
| March 19, 2002 - San Francisco - Chinese Medicine Day, sponsored by the California Certified Acupuncturist Association, attracted hundred of participants, including U.S. Congress Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Mike Honda, both co-authors of HR 747, the acupuncture MediCare bill. Nancy Pelosi is the House Minority Whip, and the highest elected female official in Federal Government. More..... |
| California - Legislative Day in Sacramento |
| March 13, 2002 - Sacramento - California Licensed Acupuncturists volunteered to spend a day at the State Capitol in Sacramento treating Legislators and their staff, making a popsitive impression on many who recieved free treatments. More..... |
| California - 2002 California Legislation Introduced |
| February 21, 2002 - Sacramento - Senator John Burton and Assemblywoman Judy Chu have introduced progressive legislation to require insurance coverage for acupuncture, improve educational requirements, and allow disability evalutions of injured workers to be conducted by qualified acupuncturists. More..... |
| California - Governor Davis Proclaims February 12, 2002 "Chinese New Year's Day" |
| Feb. 11 - San Francisco - Becoming the first sitting California Governor ever to ring in the Chinese New Year in San Francisco's Chinatown, Governor Gray Davis officially recognized the Chinese "Year of the Horse," and proclaimed February 12, 2002 as "Chinese New Year's Day" in California. More ....(includes photos) |
| California/USA - SPES Herbal Products Found to Contain Prescription Drugs |
| Feb. 7 - Sacramento - The California State Department of Health Services issued a public health warning about BotanicLab's herbal products, PC SPES and SPES, after tests indicated they were contaminated with the dangerous drugs warfarin and alprazolam. BotanicLab of Brea, California, issued an immediate recall of these products. More ... |
| California - Asplund Reappointed to the Acupuncture Board |
| Jan. 28 - Sacramento - Former Chair of the California Acupuncture Board, Shari Asplund, was reappointed by the California State Sentate to serve a second full term on the Board through July, 2005. More....(includes photos) |
| If you have any state information to share, send it to us at: news@acucouncilorg |