The Michigan Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is a non-profit organization committed
to promoting the safe and effective practice of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.ABOUT US
We are a professional association of trained and experienced acupuncturists and practitioners of oriental medicine, committed to providing the best care to keep our patients balanced, healthy, and strong. We support our members by; sponsoring and announcing continuing education events in our field and working together to advance our profession in the state.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Members of the MAAOM Seek To:
- Promote the safe and effective practice of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Michigan.
- Support regulatory legislation which meets or exceeds NCCAOM standards.
- Expand public awareness and understanding of the preventive and long-term health benefits of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
JANUARY, 2012
***PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING TIME SENSITIVE AND IMPORTANT CALL TO ACTION FROM THE AAAOM:
Essential Health Benefits: In 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, a health insurance reform law intended to ensure access to quality and affordable health insurance for all Americans. Starting in 2014, most health plans will be required to offer a comprehensive package of items and services to patients, known as “essential health benefits” (EHB). Under the new law, EHB must cover certain specific services including emergency services, maternity and newborn care, prescription drugs as well as preventive and wellness services, among others.
Public Input is Needed: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently accepting input regarding their approach to establishing EHBs. A strong public show of support for acupuncture as an essential health benefit will be noticed by policymakers and will lay a solid foundation for future federal acupuncture initiatives.
Take action now: Ask your patients to send an email to the address below to show their support for EHB. Also, send your own email as a patient showing your support. Emails should request that acupuncture be designated as an essential benefit service and should share the benefits of acupuncture and its cost effectiveness. A sample letter is included below.
To send a message to HHS, visit aaaomonline.org/ehb or send an email directly to: EssentialHealthBenefits@cms.hhs.gov and carbon copy EHB@aaaomonline.org so that we can track the letters sent. The deadline for comments is January 31, 2012.
Thank you for your support of our efforts to serve our profession. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact AAAOM at 1-866-455-7999, extension 3, or info@aaaomonline.org.
Warmly,
President, AAAOM Board of Directors
A NOTE FROM OUR
PRESIDENT
- Heather Sloan
The MAAOM is happy to announce that we have just had a major breakthrough: Nationally accredited acupuncturists will be legally recognized in Michigan. This significant legislative shift is a huge step forward for our profession. Our years of dedication have paid off! We have a lot to be proud of and we have many people to thank, especially Brodie Burris, former president, diplomatic leader, generous donor of his time and resources and public speaker-extraordinaire for his four exceptional years of service to this organization and to the acupuncture profession. We thank Amy Burris for her dedication to making our website beautiful and functional and for hosting multiple events over the years with Brodie, including: fund-raising New Year’s parties, meetings and classes. We all appreciate the many hours she has dedicated to making this organization better. Thank you to Coleen Grady, former Vice President for her years of dedication and service. We thank our current Secretary, Beth Kohn, current Treasurer, Monica Leibson, and former President Deborah Lincoln. Lastly, thank you to all of our dedicated members over the years for your financial support and your generous donation of time.
We have achieved Registration for acupuncturists and now we will be pushing for licensure in 2012. Our preparations this year and next are crucial as we need to accumulate a large sum of money to pay our lobbyist. We have an eager and very active board who are planning various fundraising events to earn money to pay our expenses during the process. As an organization, it is our mission to advance the profession of acupuncture. Licensure is our next big step and I invite each and every one of you to participate in one or more of these fundraising events. This is history in the making; let’s give it all we’ve got!
In Good Health,
Heather Sloan, MSOM, Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H., MAAOM President
GOVERNOR GRANHOLM SIGNS PUBLIC ACT. 30 of 2006
This is a shared success for both acupuncture providers and the people of Michigan, as it represents the State’s desire for new healthcare options.
With (from left to right) Stephanie Johnson of lobbying firm Capitol Services, Inc.; Sen. Beverly Hammerstom; Amy Zaagaman, Chief of Staff to Sen. Hammerstom; Megan Long, Dipl.Ac.; Deborah Lincoln, Dipl.Ac.; and Ellen Hoekstra of Capitol Services, Inc.