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Greetings ,
Best wishes for a properous and healthy new year from the board of directors of AOMSM. |
AOMSM SUPPORT FOR HR 646
The Board of Directors of AOMSM voted 7 to 2 to support passage of the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act (HR 646), the federal bill that would provide acupuncturists with the option to choose to participate in Medicare and Federal Employees Health Programs. The majority of the board felt Medicare coverage would increase patient access to our medicine and would be an important step toward recognition of the AOM profession within the larger medical community. The board also voted to contribute $500 to the AAAOM's lobbying efforts on behalf of HR 646 through AOMPAF.
If you would like to make an individual contribution to AOMPAF, just go to http://www.aaaomonline.com/paf/.
If you would like to learn more about the issues involved with Medicare coverage for acupuncture and HR 646, go to the
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Society of Massachusetts Facebook page and read the Medicare Fact Book.
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INSURANCE PARITY
The AOMSM Insurance Task Force is working on developing a parity bill to be introduced in the Massachusetts legislature. The task force consulted withe a lawyer who has experience in insurance regulation to research if there are any insurance regulations in MA that refer to parity between professions and which we could use to make the case for parity for acupuncturists. She will also help us with the language for the bill. Next we are developing a one page position statement and a timeline for the campaign.
Anyone who would like to get involved in this project, please contact Ellen Highfield at eshighfield@comcast.net.
MANDATING COVERAGE FOR ACUPUNCTURE
H 4111 is a bill in the Massachusetts legislature that would require all health insurance policies issued in the Commonwealth to include coverage for licensed acupuncturists. Richard Ruth, Lic.Ac. worked with his local representative William Smitty Pignatelli to get this bill drafted. A hearing on the bill before the Joint Committee on Financial Services may occur as early as February.
For more information, contact Jim Moran at moranjames@aol.com.
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NEW STUDENT BOARD MEMBER
Welcome to Kara Marquis, the new student board member on the AOMSM board of directors. Kara is a first year student at the New England School of Acupuncture. She graduated from Wheaton College and between her junior and senior year had an internship focused on TCM in Xi'an China. Before attending NESA she taught English in Thailand and became certified in traditional Thai massage which, in part, derives from aspects of TCM.
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LEARN ABOUT THE FPD
If you are interested in the future direction of the AOM profession, you'll want to educate yourself about the First Professional Doctorate (FPD). It is an issue that has been around for many years and if you are part of the Community Acupuncture Network, you know it is a topic that evokes strong opinions.
The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) took comments from all stakeholders regarding developing standards for the professional doctorate in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. The comment period ended January 15, 2010. The input that was received will be considered as they decide whether to move forward in the further development of standards for doctoral programs.
Right now, there is a post-graduate doctorate in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. It was designed to offer advanced clinical training with a focus on clinical specialization and additional training in topics related to research and teaching.
A professional doctorate is a different degree. It signifies professional competency at the doctoral level. It may or may not be associated with licensure. A First Professional Doctorate would be a doctoral degree that could stand as a potential entry level or first professional degree. The master's degree is the entry level degree at this time and is the degree required by states for licensing.
Please note, it would still be up to the states to determine their educational requirements for licensing so this piece, developing standards for professional doctoral programs, is a beginning step in a longer process.
To learn more about the FPD, read the AOM First Professional Doctorate Fact Book at FPD FACT BOOK.
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SUPPORT FOR JOE BURSTEIN
A group of Joe Burstein's friends are organizing a fundraising drive to help Joe, a Needham acupuncturist, NESA class of 1975 and former president of AOMSM. He has gastro-esophageal cancer which responded well to hyperthermia treatment in Germany last year but he recently suffered a recurrence involving liver metastases. Joe's friends want to help send him back to Germany for more treatment.
There is a website www.FriendsofJoeBurstein.com where people can make donations and where information will be available about a big fundraiser coming in March.
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New HarmonyCenter for Health & Wellness
Successful AOM clinic in Beverly, MA seeks 1-2 highly competent Licensed Acupuncturists for long-term, full-time employee positions, following apprenticeship period and integration to the Center's team approach to patient care. Applicants for consideration must hold active-status L.Ac. in Massachusetts, and have current NCCAOM certification in both Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology, or the Diplomate of Oriental Medicine. Demands of fast-growing clinic require flexible schedule, ability to handle overlapping patients, and adaptability to our system of care. Requires conforming malpractice coverage to start. Desirable skills: Nutrition & Dietary Therapy; Pediatrics; Laser; Auricular or Scalp Acupuncture; ABT/Tuina skills; Integrative clinical experience. Competitive salary. Send professional resume and letter of interest to: healing@newharmonywellness.com.
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ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE
FOR SALE IN FALMOUTH, MA
Nine- year established, successful practice in a vibrant seaside town with diversified, stable economy. Two treatment rooms, waiting room, bathroom, office & staff room. Rental income from other treatment rooms covers rent. Low overhead. Furnished. Patient files. Contact 508-648-8889 or richvanheynigen@gmail.com.
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January/February 2010
