ASNY Issues Call To Action To New York Licensed Acupuncturists To Shepherd Federal Acupuncture Legislation

    ALBANY, NY, August 10, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- With the introduction of Congresswoman Judy Chu's (D-CA-27) bill HR 4803, Acupuncture for Seniors Act of 2021, the Acupuncture Society of New York (ASNY) issues a "Call to Action" to all members of the New York State Licensed Acupuncturist community.

Background:
Since January 2020, Acupuncture services have been covered by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) singularly for chronic lower back pain. While guidelines issued in 2020 allow for services to be performed by Licensed Acupuncturists, the same guidelines installed restrictive conditions preventing the experts in the field from billing Medicare directly and requiring "appropriate supervision" to perform these services. Oversight by other healthcare professionals to perform acupuncture services is inconsistent with almost every state licensing statute governing acupuncture. There has been no further guidance from the regulatory agency regarding the definition of "appropriate supervision," other than to suggest a legislative mandate as a remedy. As such, while acupuncture is covered by CMS, Licensed Acupuncturists remain uncovered providers. To change this requires an act of Congress.

ASNY's Partnership with AcuCongress Federal Legislative Initiative:
ASNY is partnering with AcuCongress, a coalition founded specifically for the purpose of training the East Asian medicine industry and its allies to lead the campaign to pass federal legislation that expands the definition of covered providers to include acupuncture services as performed by Licensed Acupuncturists. AcuCongress will provide training to all ASNY members in techniques to take federal legislation from introduction to passage with unified messaging.

ASNY's Regulatory Success:
According to ASNY President Viktor Krustufek "We believe that, working together as we have done historically, New York can add co-sponsors from all twenty-seven federal districts in the state during this Congressional session. We believe ASNY's unified effort will help add co-sponsors, get hearings, and ultimately pass Representative Chu's bill that will result in licensed acupuncturists being covered providers within the Social Security Act." New York has 27 federal districts with constituent representation in all districts from both ASNY Members, as well as the NYS Acupuncture community at large. ASNY Vice President Katherine MacKenzie points to what ASNY has been able to accomplish in the past. "We have seen first-hand what happens when ASNY members come together collectively to influence regulatory and legislative environments. ASNY members made a significant difference in getting licensed acupuncturists onto the Essential Services list during the pandemic. Now it's time to bring that same collective effort to support Representative Chu's bill.

Next Steps:
AcuCongress is engaging in a district-by-district mapping of Licensed Acupuncturists constituents with their members in the House of Representatives. They will target heavily those Representatives serving in the committees that the bill is assigned to, but welcome ALL members of the industry, from students to practitioners, as well as industry suppliers and ancillary healthcare allies to join the effort. AcuCongress will hold a its inaugural Virtual Federal Fly-In on December 8, 2021. Training for this begins in September 2021, with in-person training taking place at the Atlantic Symposium, November 7-9, 2021 at Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, SC. ASNY has a collaborative agreement with the Atlantic Symposium and can offer a 10% ASNY Member discount on registration to the Atlantic Symposium, along with deep discounts to those who cannot attend but want to take part in the federal fly-in in December. All ASNY members should contact the association for discount codes to these events by contacting [email protected]. To register for Atlantic Symposium or the AcuCongress Virtual Federal Fly-In, please go to www.atlanticsymposium.com.

About ASNY: ASNY is a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt trade association organized for the benefit of its members. ASNY Members are professional Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Acs), OM Herbalists, Students, Vendors, and Patients & Supporters of the Acupuncture Industry. Together we strive to preserve, protect and advance the profession of Acupuncture as well as improve access to people in need of Acupuncture throughout New York. To join ASNY, please visit https://asny.org/join/#account/join. For more information on ASNY or member discount codes, contact [email protected].

About AcuCongress: Coalition formed to serve as the federal legislative training ground for the purposes of shepherding and passing legislation that promotes acupuncture services as performed by Licensed Acupuncturists. AcuCongress works with state acupuncture associations and individuals to provide the tools necessary for Congressional outreach and influence for successful, sustainable legislative campaigns. AcuCongress Founder Dr. Kallie Byrd Guimond, OM.D, MPH is a state and federal lobbyist for more than two decades and principal at Sustainable Influence, a government affairs firm with a focus on educating trade associations in grassroots techniques and overseeing Capitol Hill Advocacy events such as Congressional briefings, health fairs, and fly-ins. For more information, contact Dr. Kallie Byrd Guimond at [email protected].

About Atlantic Symposium: Established as a conference devoted to presenting ways that licensed acupuncturists & acupuncture students can learn best business practices and ways to move from SURVIVING TO THRIVING!!! Our Goal: The elevation of the profession of licensed acupuncturists through promotion of the business of acupuncture, the advocacy of the industry & the Importance of our research BY ACUPUNCTURISTS, FOR ACUPUNCTURISTS! For more information or to register, contact Jason Sargis at [email protected].

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