MAAOM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2010

SECOND PUBLIC HEARING

BOARD OF ACUPUNCTURE – GENERAL RULES

RULE SET #2008-050 CH

The Department of Community Health will hold a second public hearing on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at the Department of Community Health, Ottawa Building, 611 West Ottawa, Conference Room 3, Upper Level, Lansing, Michigan.

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NOVEMBER 2009

Members of the MAAOM traveled to Lansing for a Public Hearing for the Rules and Regulations set forth by the Michigan Board of Acupuncture

2006-2009

While the Board is required to meet quarterly, unfortunately many of these scheduled meetings were cancelled, thus delaying registration process for acupuncturists.  For more information on the Michigan Board of Acupuncture including meeting dates, agendas and minutes – click here

August 16, 2006

Governor Granholm Names Members of Michigan Board of Acupuncture

Governor Jennifer Granholm announced appointees to the Michigan Board Of Acupuncture.  The board, created with the signing of Public Act 30 of 2006 on February 23, is responsible for developing rules that set forth minimum standards for registration as an acupuncturist.

The following Board members were appointed:

Deborah Lincoln, president of the AAAOM & past president of MAAOM.

• Howard J. Abel-Horowitz, M.D. of Franklin, physician in private practice.  Dr. Abel-Horowitz is appointed to represent licensed physicians.
• Arthur L. Kaminsky, M.D. of Marquette, general manager and acupuncturist with Kaminsky Group, LLC.  Dr. Kaminsky is appointed to represent acupuncturists.
• Deborah E. Lincoln, R.N., M.S.N. of East Lansing, acupuncturist with the Meridian Health and Wellness Center.  Ms. Lincoln is appointed to represent acupuncturists.
• John L. Pappas, M.D. of Bloomfield Hills, vice chief of anesthesiology and director of the International Pain Clinic at William Beaumont Hospital.  Dr. Pappas is appointed to represent licensed physicians.
• Jason T. Pettet, M.O.M. of South Haven, national board certified acupuncturist with Michigan Health and Energy, P.C..  Mr. Pettet is appointed to represent acupuncturists.
• Virginia C. Vary, M.S.W., M.O.M. of Grand Rapids, acupuncturist and owner of Acupuncture & Natural Healing Arts.  Ms. Vary is appointed to represent acupuncturists.
• Leonard D. Wright, M.D. of Muskegon, practitioner with the Saint Mary’s Wege Institute.  Dr. Wright is appointed to represent licensed physicians.

On Behalf of the MAAOM, we congratulate the board members and look forward to working with them in the months ahead.

March 1, 2006

Access to Greater Health Care Options

Gov. Jennifer Granholm signs Public Act 30 of 2006.  With (from left to right) Stephanie Wuttke 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.

— Governor Jennifer Granholm signed Michigan’s first-ever acupuncture law on February 23, 2006, recognizing practitioners of acupuncture as Registered Acupuncturists.  This achievement is the result of a 20-year legislative process that now ensures public access to a proven modality of medicine while protecting public health and safety.  The bill was sponsored by Senator Beverly Hammerstom (R) and Representative Kevin Green (R) and passed unanimously in the State Senate, with 92% approval in the House of Representatives.  Deborah Lincoln, President of the Michigan Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, was instrumental in the passage of this bill.  This new law, Public Act 30 of 2006, is a shared success for acupuncture providers and the people of Michigan, as it represents the State’s desire for new healthcare options.

“I’m very thrilled.  We’ve come a long way,” said Lincoln.

As noted in a Feb. 25 article in the Kalamazoo Gazette, “Michigan now joins more than 40 other states that have set up boards to regulate the practice of this ancient form of medicine.  ‘We’ve been working in a gray area for many years. It is a relief to see this happen,’ said Dr. David Krofcheck, a Kalamazoo Oriental medicine specialist.  ‘To a certain extent, we’ve had to be under wraps.’ … He said a regulatory board will likely help to open up the practice of acupuncture in Michigan.

The article continues: “Until now, some acupuncturists have been unwilling to locate here because of the lack of legal standards.  States such as California and Florida have licensed thousands of acupuncturists, but there are only about 200 of the specialists in Michigan… In addition, this move by the governor, who signed the bill on Thursday, may lead to more insurance companies being willing to cover the treatments in Michigan.”

Acupuncturists to be Registered by the State of Michigan

March 1, 2006 — Public Act 30 of 2006 was officially recognized by the Secretary of State’s office on February 28, 2006.  This act amends the Public Health Code to provide for the registration of acupuncturists, and takes effect on July 1, 2006.

The regulation of any health profession is intended to assure the general public that persons identified as a specific type of health professional are qualified to practice.  Even when a profession has been working in the health care industry for a number of years without regulation, establishing requirements for registration sets the stage for the future of that profession.

Adapted from a notice at michigan.gov.

June 30, 2005

Registration Bill Moves to House Committee

— Bill 351 passed the Senate 35-0 (with three excused votes) on June 30, and has been referred to the House Committee on Health Policy.

May 11, 2005

Legislators, Staffers Throng AOM Day Event

— Today the MAAOM hosted Michigan’s Acupuncture Education Day in the west wing of the Capitol to highlight and support efforts to pass a Michigan regulatory bill.  MAAOM practitioners came from around the state to demonstrate acupuncture techniques and make themselves available to discuss the bill and inform participants.  The legislative community and staff came to experience and observe treatments and learn more about the reasons Michigan should take its place among the 42 states that currently have a law.  Several Members of the state legislature attended, and a few members of the press dropped by to become better educated on the treatments and benefits of acupuncture.

MAAOM members are encouraged to follow up by contacting their Senator or Representative and asking if they would like written material explaining the uses of acupuncture and the need for a regulatory law.

For more information please e-mail: staff@michiganacupuncture.org

Contact information for Senators: Michigan Senators

Contact information for Representatives: Michigan Representatives

Acupuncture Registration Bill Introduced

March 24, 2005

A registration bill for Acupuncturists practicing in the State of Michigan was introduced by Senator Bev Hammerstrom (R-Temperance). Senator Hammerstrom is chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee and the Senate Majority Floor Leader. We were very pleased to see that the legislation also included an “All Star” list of co-sponsors (see below).

If your state Senator co-sponsored SB 351, please send, by way of letter, email or phone call, a thank you for his or her support. MAAOM is also expecting the legislation to be introduced in the House.

On May 11th, MAAOM will be hosting a “Day at the Capitol” in which acupuncture practitioners will meet with legislators and their staff to discuss the health benefits of acupuncture and perform treatments. This is a fun day where MAAOM members can highlight the need for regulation of the profession in order to ensure patient safety and quality.

We are very excited that things have gotten off to such a great start this legislative session. As we work towards implementing safety standards in the profession, we wish to thank MAAOM members for their continued support. If you have any questions feel free to contact Deborah Lincoln at (517) 381-0299 or Stephanie Johnson-Wuttke at (517) 372-0860.

MAAOM Thanks SB 351’s Sponsors

The members of the MAAOM would like to thank the following Senators for sponsoring our bill.

• Sen. Burton Leland (D-Detroit)
• Sen. Wayne Kuipers (R-Holland)
• Sen. Valde Garcia (R-Howell)
• Sen. Gilda Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods)
• Sen. Virg Benero (D-Lansing)
• Sen. Martha Scott (D-Highland Park)
• Sen. Deb Cherry (D-Burton)
• Sen. Patty Birkholz (R-Saugatuck)
• Sen. Jim Barcia (D-Bay City)
• Sen. Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek)
• Sen. Micky Switalski (D-Roseville)
• Sen. Tony Stamas (R-Alpena)
• Sen. Irma Clark-Coleman (D-Detroit)
• Sen. Hanson Clarke (D-Detroit)