AAMA’s Legislative Committee: Behind the Scenes
— Donna Pittman, MD, AAMA Past President and Gavin Elliott, MD, FAAMA, Board of Directors
The AAMA has six committees: CME, Education, Membership, Review Course, Symposium, and Legislative. Each has a specific function to serve our AAMA members. We would like to take this opportunity to explain what the Legislative Committee does for you.
Gavin Elliott and James Bromberg are the co-chairs; Donna Pittman is the secretary. We are joined by Russ Corcoran and Rich Elliott, both on the Board of Directors, along with several other committee members. Our main goal is to ensure that state legislatures and Congress enact laws that promote acupuncture and permit physicians to practice according to the rules in their states. We also keep track of what goes on with state licensing boards. It’s a big job.
Fortunately, we have access to an app called BillTrack50 to help. Every morning we receive email messages from BT50 listing active bills that pertain to acupuncture, chronic pain, dry needling, integrative medicine, and substance use disorder. The notice may be about newly introduced bills, amendments, committee hearings, and voting results. With the new year and the commencement of new legislative sessions, there has been a daily flurry of bills. We look at each bill to see how it may affect our colleagues in medical acupuncture. We monitor the progress of these bills. If the bill promotes acupuncture, we may write a letter of support to the sponsors. If a bill appears to be unfavorable, it may require a letter asking for clarification or an amendment or an explanation about how the bill would negatively impact physician acupuncturists.
We also receive updates on rules and regulations from state licensing boards and boards of medicine. Again we send emails and letters arguing for or against new or existing requirements.
We’ve been at this for several years now and have learned a few things in the process.
- Most legislators do not know that physicians can perform acupuncture. Unfortunately the same holds true for medical boards. The simple act of educating them can make a difference on how they proceed with legislation and regulations.
- While the AAMA can inform legislators of the pros or cons of their bills, they really prefer to hear from you, their constituents. It’s important for you to let your representatives know how their bill will directly affect you and your acupuncture practice.
- Be careful with what you write. Your message will be shared with bill sponsors, committee members, and sometimes be made public so even those with opposing views can read your comments.
- Be respectful. Grandma was right when she said you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
The AAMA legislative committee will contact you when we feel it is important to have your input and when you should contact legislators from your state about specific issues. Your message to a representative could make the difference in a bill being passed by a committee or approved by a legislative body.
We’re currently monitoring 50 bills. Some promote acupuncture as a non-pharmacological therapy for chronic pain or to prevent or treat substance use disorder. There are bills that would require health insurance to cover acupuncture. More states are expanding which healthcare professionals — physical therapists, occupational therapists, and athletic trainers — can perform dry needling.
The Acupuncture for our Seniors bill will be reintroduced in Congress this session. It would change the status of licensed acupuncturists to primary providers under Medicare. If the bill passes, LAcs would be able to act independently and bill Medicare directly instead of going through a participating physician.
If you have questions or concerns about bills in your state, please contact us. We’d be happy to work with you on a favorable resolution. If you have time and are interested in assisting us in monitoring bills and regulations, please let us now.
