Physical Therapists (PTs) are taking action to change the face of acupuncture in Massachusetts.

Political agents for PTs in MA have taken measures to prevent "An Act Relative to the Practice of Acupuncture" from advancing. To have bills H2021 & S1107 heard, State Legislators need to hear from YOU! Who: Acupuncturists and Acupuncture Supporters, YOU and YOUR PATIENTS; What: Contact your State Representatives and Senator Why: Ask your Representative and Senator to commit to supporting Bill H2021 and S1107. Also ask them to contact legislators on the Public Health Committee and encourage them to report H2021 and S1107 out favorably. When: Oct. 24th AOM Day, or before Nov. 15th, 2013 How: Find your Representative & State Senator and their contact info here call or email them on Oct. 24th--AOM Day.

Find YOUR elected officials is on this website: https://malegislature.gov/ Contact YOUR legislators, call the state house switchboard at 617-722-2800 and ask for the rep or senator by name.

The Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Society of Massachusetts (AOMSM) submitted two identical bills to the Massachusetts Legislature at the beginning of 2013 legislative session. These bills seek to accomplish three goals: 1. Ensure that only licensed acupuncturists with appropriate training are allowed to use acupuncture techniques in Massachusetts (i.e.dry needling); 2. Prompt the Department of Public Health to convene a special commission to investigate the effective integration of acupuncture and oriental medicine into new practice models and payment methodologies under the health care reform; and 3. Ensure that acupuncturists are able to be fairly reimbursed for their services by insurance plans in Massachusetts. Your engagement is critical to the success of the bills. Please call both your legislators, preferably on AOM Day, Oct. 24th (or as late as Nov. 15th).

PTs in MA have already activated their political agents to prevent this bill from advancing. Only organized action from acupuncturists and acupuncture supporters can protect the licensed and properly regulated practice of acupuncture. If legislators do not hear from us they will only be hearing from the folks interested in supporting dry needling (dry needling fact sheet). PTs have been successful in many other states on having dry needing added to their scope of practice with little or no training in acupuncture. PTs doing dry needing dumbs down our vital medicine. PT's are already getting insurance, thus will receive insurance for less effective, lower quality care while acupuncturist are not getting fair pay for what they are doing. In order to make our legislative initiative a success, you must take action! Please call or email your state representative and state senator. Ask them to support "An Act Relative to the Practice of Acupuncture". The bill has two numbers H2021 and S1107. Either method of reaching out can be effective. Your voice is very important. 1. Tell your name, that you are one of their constituents, and that safe, well regulated, and fairly compensated practice of acupuncture in Massachusetts is important to you as a patient or practitioner and the that acupuncture provides enormous benefits to both patients and health care reform efforts. 2. Ask them to support "An Act Relative to the Practice of Acupuncture". the bill has two numbers H2021 and S1107. 3. Encourage both your rep and senator to contact legislators on the Public Health Committee and encourage the Public Health Committee to report H2021 and S1107 out favorably. You may speak to legislative staff instead of the legislator directly. That is perfectly fine and often as effective, if not more effective, as speaking to the legislators directly. If there are specific questions about the legislation, feel free to refer them to the AOMSM legislative agent, Daniel Delaney, at ddelaney@delaneypolicygroup.com or at 617-251-6774. The easiest way to locate elected officials is on the website: https://malegislature.gov/ (not you may need your 9 digit zip code. extension [see https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action]) AND the easiest way to find and contact your legislators may be to call the state house switchboard at 617-772-2800 and ask for the rep or senator by name. 4. Ask your patients to also send emails or call. Find a printable flyer here. Post it and hand it out at your office, email it to your email lists. Telling legislators how acupuncture affects you personally is important to delivering this message effectively. This can be a conversation about being a small business owner or your experience of recieving acupuncture. This is why it is important for acupuncturists to also call... Please send emails or make calls on AOM Day, or before Nov. 15th. 5. RSVP It will be helpful to our efforts to know how many people are contacting legislators and which legislators have been contacted so please RSVP on the Events Page on the AOMSM.org website.