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September 28, 2005

Why I just wrote to my Congressman to co-sponsor HR 818

For those not in the know, HR 818 is the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act being sponsored by Rep Maurice Hinchey (D-NY). Basically 818 'would add acupuncture to the list of health care treatments available to seniors and the disabled through Medicare and to federal employees and their families through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.' You can view the bill at Rep Hinchey's website: HR 818

This bill has never had more than 60 co-sponsors, and has never made it to the floor for a vote (since its first appearance in 1993). Rep. Hinchey currently only has 49 co-sponsors and is searching for more. The AAOM sent out a targeted email to those living in certain districts to write their congressperson to get them to sign on. My rep, Rep Robert Brady (D-PA) apparently signed on to the bill yesterday and was on that list.

There are lots of pro's and con's to this bill. Many say that once Chiropractic was covered under Medicare, the average insurance payout for manipulations went way down. But I think this bill will kick start the widespread coverage by insurance that Acupuncture has long deserved as a valid form of medicine.

For an easy way to write your congressperson to get them to join, you can use the AAOM advocacy site: Link or just go to the House web page: Here

Posted by Admin at September 28, 2005 06:26 PM

Comments

I'm a first year student of TCM and I'm so thrilled I came across this site so early on in my education. The information on this site seems like gold. Thank you so much! The article above is really an eye opener, I sent a letter to my rep and urged all the other TCM students in my class to do so as well. Thank you again and keep up the great work.

Posted by: Lindsey Behlen at November 6, 2005 03:34 PM