Collaborative advocacy moves Governor Newsom at age 11Number time
Governor Gavin Newsom has reversed proposed budget cuts to the Medical Acupuncture Program for low-income Californians for fiscal year 2024-2025, a major victory for health care providers and advocates who have long championed acupuncture as a key component of comprehensive health care.
The initial proposal would have eliminated badly needed acupuncture benefits for millions of low-income recipients, and the governor faced strong backlash from the acupuncture community, Medicare recipients, and members of both the Assembly and Senate.
A little history…
Acupuncture was legalized in California in 1976 and has been an integral part of Medi-Cal health care since 1989. Its inclusion in the program reflects its growing acceptance and effectiveness in treating a variety of ailments, from chronic pain to psychiatric disorders. Over the decades, numerous studies have demonstrated acupuncture’s therapeutic benefits, leading to its increasing integration into mainstream medical practice.
But this isn’t the first time the Medicare program has faced cuts to acupuncture benefits. Acupuncture was removed from Medicare in 2009.
Thanks to the persistent support of acupuncturists, it was revived in 2016.
community. At the time, the effort also received significant support from Council Members Phil Ting, Rob Bonta and David Chiu.
Winning through collaboration
This preservation of acupuncture coverage under Medicare was made possible largely through the collaborative efforts of the acupuncture community, key legislators, and Medicare beneficiaries. The six California Acupuncture Coalition (CAC) association members played key roles in the effort to maintain acupuncture coverage under Medicare. Leaders from the American Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (AACMA) played a key role in communicating with key legislators, convening stakeholders for budget cut hearings, and mobilizing the public to speak out in opposition to the Governor’s plan.
Leaders from the American Korean Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medical Association of California (AKAMAC) and the California State Oriental Medicine Association (CSOMA) played key roles in reaching out to members of the Budget Committee and in initiating and promoting an online petition opposing the budget cuts.
Leaders from the American Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ASCM), the Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Association of California (JAAC), and the California Acupuncture and Moxibustion Allied Association (CAUA) were instrumental in conveying our opposition to members of the Budget Committee.
Additionally, I would like to thank the teachers and students at acupuncture schools throughout California, including Marilyn Allen, Executive Director of the American Acupuncture Council (AAC). [and founding editor-at-large of Acupuncture Today] For their involvement in schools and grassroots activities, schools including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Integrated Medicine, Alhambra School of Medicine, University of California Silicon Valley, Los Angeles East Country University, and Five Branch University have all joined the effort.
Additionally, health facilities such as North East Medical Services (NEMS) and Chinese Hospital also voiced opposition on behalf of the patients they serve.
The unified support of Sen. Scott Weiner, Rep. Evan Law, Rep. Phil Ting, and Rep. Alex Lee directly influenced the outcome of the acupuncture budget cuts. Opposition from Medicare beneficiaries also highlighted the importance of preserving acupuncture services.
Heartfelt gratitude
The California Acupuncture Alliance (CAC) thanks Governor Newsom.
We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining acupuncture services in the medical program.
Contribution to this outcome.
The California Acupuncture Alliance (CAC) offers its sincere gratitude and admiration to Senators Scott Wiener and Caroline Menjivar, as well as leaders of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus of California (AAPILC), Representatives Evan Low, Phil Ting, and Alex Lee, for working on behalf of the acupuncture community and addressing the needs of low-income beneficiaries.
The California Acupuncture and Moxibustion Association (CAC) commends AACMA President Dr. Churong Xue, Vice President Dr. Lin Yang, AKAMAC President Dr. Bon Cho, CSOMA President Tiffany Tufte, LAc, and Executive Director Dr. La Adcock for their exemplary leadership, as well as ASCM Dr. Victoria Le Tuan and Dr. Daisy Hong Liu, JAAC President Dr. Saori Minota and Vice President Nobuko Ide, AAAMA Dr. Sun Lee, CAUA Dr. Jane Lee and Kessin Bao, and AAC Insurance Group Director Marilyn Allen. [and Editor-at-Large of Acupuncture Today]and Jessica Ho from NEMS for her hard work and support.
