Medical to abolish acupuncture treatment, opponents rally in protest
Patients who rely on acupuncture and the medical professionals who practice it rallied in support of the practice in San Francisco’s Chinatown, fearing the governor’s latest budget proposal will mean people won’t be able to get the care they need.
San Francisco – Patients who rely on acupuncture and the medical professionals who practice it rallied in support of the practice in San Francisco’s Chinatown, fearing the governor’s latest budget proposal will mean people won’t be able to get the care they need.
Acupuncture has been practiced as part of health care in China for nearly 3,000 years, and patients in San Francisco continue to rely on it for the medical procedure.
Currently, Medicare covers the cost of acupuncture, but that coverage would be eliminated under the governor’s revised budget plan to make up the shortfall.
“Medical-Cal is going to cut acupuncture benefits after June 15, 2024, which will hit the Asian American community and many others hard,” said Lili Chao, director of integrative medicine at North East Medical Services.
The governor’s office, referring to the revised budget released earlier this month, said Gov. Gavin Newsom does not want to make cuts. “None of this is fun work, but it’s work that has to be done. We have to be responsible, we have to be accountable… We have to balance the budget.”
Acupuncture advocates say the coverage cuts will only save $5.4 million over the next year, but will have a profound impact on care for people who rely on acupuncture, many of whom say they turn to acupuncture to receive culturally appropriate care.
The vast majority of her patients rely on Medicare to pay for their care, she said.
“More than 90 percent of our patients are on Medicare and are seeking Medicare services,” Chao said.
Patients like Manmei Chan say they turn to acupuncture.
“I’ve been in two car accidents and diagnosed with COVID-19 three times, but thanks to acupuncture I feel better,” she said in Cantonese.
Molly Bekele said she has suffered from chronic pain for years, but after losing her job, she turned to Medicare for the only treatment that has ever worked.
“My pain and anxiety have decreased significantly. If I develop symptoms I can go to the hospital and see a doctor. This would not have been possible without the access I have from the state,” Bekele said.
Oversight Committee Chairman Aaron Peskin said he plans to introduce a resolution to the committee urging lawmakers to block any efforts to cut off Medicare access to acupuncture.
