We Need Your Help!
September 8, 2008
We Need Your Help!
NYSAC has been helped a great deal by our friend in the Assembly, Ellen Young. She lobbied every assembly person she could get her hands on which is how we had 90 co-sponsors on our bill during last session!
Now she is running for re-election in Flushing, Queens and I ask that you do all you can to help her.Ellen’s election in 2006 was a groundbreaking achievement and we need to ensure that she remains a strong voice for us at the highest levels of government.
If you would like to help contribute to Ellen’s victory, please review the information below and contact Michael at 347-879-5777, Scott at 646-879-8395, or John Guyette at 646-879-5401. This will be a close election and every vote will count! Your participation will make a big difference!!!
If you can volunteer or donate on behalf of NYSAC please call Michael Jabbour at 347-879-5777. This Tuesday, September 9th, Assembly Member Ellen Young is facing a tough primary election challenge. In order to secure her victory we need your help.
We are looking for volunteers willing to contact Ellen’s supporters about where and when to vote. Additional tasks include help with putting up posters, data entry, and distributing literature.The remaining days for volunteering are as follows:
Monday, September 8th
Phone banking: 12 to 8PM
Door to door canvassing: 12 to 8PM
Election day poll packet construction: 2PM to 6PM
Postering: 10 PM to 12 midnight
Election Day (Tuesday, September 9th)
Polling Place Watchers/Closers: 6AM to 12 Noon and 6PM to 9:30PM
Phone banking: 12 to 8PM
Door to door canvassing: 12 to 8PM
Street Visibility (Bus stops and shopping centers): 6 AM to 12 Noon
Thank you,
Michael Jabbour, LAc, MS
New York State Acupuncture Coalition, Inc.
cell: 347.879.5777
michael.jabbou@gmail.com
John P. Guyette
Campaign Manager
Re-elect Assembly Member Ellen Young
646.879.5401 work cell
702.378.4999 personal
johnguyette@gmail.com
Nozzolio Fundraiser
August 21, 2008
A Summer Barbecue Get-Together &
Fund-raiser for Senator Michael F. Nozzolio
Saturday September 6, 2008 6:00pm – 8:00 pm (or later)
Summer Barbecue Buffet (with vegetarian choices) No Host Bar
The Crow’s Nest Restaurant on Seneca Lake
415 Boody Hill Road
Geneva, NY 14456
(315) 781-0600
http://www.thecrowsnestrestaurant.com/
Senator Michael Nozzolio (54th District) has been a champion of upstate communities for years, fostering planned growth, economic development, revitalization, and environmental awareness. During the last session Senator Nozzolio stepped up to help NYSAC with its legislative agenda as a co-sponsor of our senate bill to make the use of herbs by licensed acupuncturists a clearly permitted activity. We would like to support the Senator during this election ear. Your contribution to his campaign is a great way to show that acupuncturists, their patients, and our community care about his work.
A contribution in any amount to his campaign is very welcome. However, if you write a check to his campaign in the amount of $75 or more you can come and eat barbecue with your friends on Seneca Lake.
Those attending the dinner are asked to make a per person contribution to Senator Nozzolio’s campaign in one of the following amounts:
Silver Contributor $75
Gold Contributor $175
Platinum Contributor $275
Please Make Your Check Payable To: Nozzolio for Senate
Please mail your check to: Kevin Ergil
29 N Main
Geneva, NY 14456
315 781 2051
Be sure to provide your address, phone number, and email to comply with rules on campaign contributions.
If you can’t come to the event please contribute anyway.
Acupuncture Albany Day a Smashing Success!
May 7, 2008
Acupuncture Albany Day a Smashing Success!
Acupuncture Day wash a smashing success. We had over 25 acupuncturists and acupuncture students from across New York State take the whole day to come to Albany to support our bills. Students and faculty from PCOM, NYCC, Touro College GPOM, and NYCTCM we there as well as representatives from ATCMS, ASNY, NYSAC, and Highfalls Garden. Thank you all for coming!!!
The day began with Assemblyperson Ellen Young’s address about her support for this bill. She spoke about her personal experience with Chinese medicine and how it helped her in the past. She was followed by Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, who also shared his family’s experience with Chinese medicine. Senator Catherine Young, the bill sponsor in the Senate also addressed the gathering and highlighted her interest in fostering NY Agriculture through Chinese herbs. They often joked how both sponsors are named Young, and that the press has called it the Young-Young bill.
Later in the day, many legislators came through the room and stopped to learn about acupuncture and the safe uses of Chinese herbs. Both NYCC and PCOM had acupuncture demonstrations and also provided herbal samples for people to take home. Highfalls Garden also had wonderful samples of locally grown organic herbs.
This event was a great success. Thank you again to all who participated!!! Let’s keep it up.
Directions to Acupuncture Day in Albany, May 7th
May 2, 2008
Directions to Acupuncture Day in Albany May 7th
Our event on May 7th begins at 9am
Orientation
The New York State Assembly chambers are located in the Capitol Building. Most Assembly offices are in the Capitol, Legislative Office Building and Agency Building 4. These buildings are all part of the Empire State Plaza complex in downtown Albany, New York.
The Empire State Plaza also houses many State agencies and commissions, as well as the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, New York State Museum and Empire Center at the Egg.
Our event is in the “Well.” This is on the first floor of the Legislative Office Building. When you get there, as for directions. This room is a major landmark.
Driving Directions
From the North: Take Interstate 87 (Northway) to Interstate 90 (East) exit, proceed east to Interstate 787 and take Empire Plaza exit.
From the South: Take New York State Thruway (Interstate 87) to Exit 23 - straight through Toll Booth to Interstate 787, then take Empire Plaza exit.
From the East: Take Interstate 90 and cross Hudson River. Take exit to Interstate 787 South, along river. Take Empire Plaza exit.
From the West: Take the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) to Exit 24 (Albany), proceed east on Interstate 90 to Interstate 787 South, along river. Take Empire Plaza Exit.
Visitor Parking
The following map highlights some of the visitor parking areas in and around the Empire State Plaza.
And here is a link to their website, http://www.cs.state.ny.us/home /findus.cfm
NYSAC - Albany Day Invite
May 2, 2008
The New York State Acupuncture Coalition cordially invites you to Acupuncture Day.
May 7th, 2008, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Representatives and educators from acupuncture colleges, and State and National organizations will provide information about the acupuncture profession.
9:30 AM Inaugural Events
Keynote Speaker Honorable Ellen Young,
Sponsor of Assembly Bill A.10143 will speak on legislative initiatives affecting the profession of acupuncture
Featured Speaker Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried, Chair Assembly Health Committee, and Prime Co-Sponsor of Assembly Bill A.10143 will discuss the legislation.
Invited Speaker Honorable Catharine Young,
Sponsor of the Senate version of A.10143, S 7333,
co-sponsored by Senators Nozzolio, Larkin, Rath, & Volker
Location: “The Well”
LOB, Albany, NY 12248
Light refreshments will be served.
President
Kathy Taromina, LAc, MS
Vice-president
Joseph Alban, LAc, MS
Treasurer
Michael Jabbour, LAc, MS
Secretary
Gina Lepore, LAc, MS, MBA
Legal Advisor
Michael Taromina, Esq
Legislative Advisor
Kevin V. Ergil, LAc, MS, MA
T/F: 800-313-8341 nysacupuncture@gmail.com nysacupuncture.org
Ethics in Acupuncture CEU - Michael Taromina, Esq.
May 2, 2008
Ethics in Acupuncture CEU - Michael Taromina, Esq.
Michael A. Taromina, Esq.
All Proceeds go to Benefit New York Acupuncture Coalition
When: Sunday, July 13th, 9am-1pm
Fee: $45 for Eastern Alumni, $55 for all others
Call 973-746-8717 to reserve your seat.
Below is the description of the class. But before that here is what Michael has to say about the Coalition and our work.
Over the past two years, the dedicated volunteers of NYSAC have mobilized and energized the AOM profession in the State of New York. Their efforts have resulted in unprecedented political support for NYSAC’s legislative initiative–NYS Assembly Bill-A10143/Senate Bill-S. 7333. However, there is much more costly work to be done before we can claim an historic legislative victory for the AOM profession in one of the most important and influential health care states in the nation. Accordingly, I am asking you to secure and advance the present and future domain of your medicine by contributing to NYSAC’s efforts through attending this NCCAOM Ethics CEU class. My time and every penny received will be donated directly to NYSAC so please join me.
Course Description:
This course delivers a detailed overview of AOM professional ethics, liability and risk by examining real cases. In the sensitive field of health care, a misconduct complaint or lawsuit is not always a result of a practitioner’s bad behavior or judgment. Experienced and careful practitioners routinely find themselves facing the prospect of damaging professional disciplinary actions or litigation because they failed to utilize effective risk management strategies. This course will provide practitioners with effective risk management strategies.
Topics covered will include:
-Overview and emerging trends of risk for alternative health care providers
-Avoiding common ethical pitfalls for well-intentioned practitioners
-The correlation between NCCAOM and state misconduct complaints
-The relationship between litigation and ethical complaints
-In-depth analysis of real cases
Presenter: Michael Taromina, Esq. has an extensive background representing and educating Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine practitioners, institutions, organizations and students. As the Chair of NCCAOMs Professional Ethics & Disciplinary Committee he co-drafted the Code of Ethics and Grounds for Discipline and oversees the adjudication of misconduct cases from all over the country. As legal counsel to New York State Acupuncture Coalition (NYSAC) he has served an integral role in the drafting and lobbying effort to amend the New York State Acupuncture statute. He is also a Public Board Member (Alternate) of AAAOM and legal advisor to AAAOMs Herbal Medicine Committee, NCCAOMs Regulatory Affairs Task Force, TCM World Foundation, Acupuncture Society of New York (ASNY) and Chinese Medical Science Foundation (CMSF). As a faculty member, Michael has designed and taught courses in health law, biomedical ethics, liability and practice management at Touro Colleges Graduate Program for Oriental Medicine, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Tri-State College of Acupuncture, New York College of Health Professions, Eastern School of Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine, Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences and Mercy College.
NYSAC on Forbes.com
April 28, 2008
PR Newswire - Press Release
New York State Acupuncture Coalition, Inc. to Host Acupuncture Day on May 7 in Albany
ALBANY, N.Y., April 28 /PRNewswire/ — The New York State Acupuncture Coalition, Inc. (NYSAC) will host Acupuncture Day on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at “The Well” in the Legislative Office Building in Albany. Officials, representatives and educators from acupuncture colleges, state and national organizations, volunteers, the general public and the media will gather to discuss proposed legislation that affects NYS licensed acupuncturists, schools of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM), the NYS Office of Professions, and most importantly, patients. The proposed legislation intends to legitimize that which already exists: the practice of using herbs by acupuncturists with extensive and credentialed herbal training. Light refreshments will be served.
Proceedings commence at 9:30 a.m. when Keynote speaker, the Honorable Ellen Young, sponsor of Assembly Bill A.10143, will speak on legislative initiatives affecting the acupuncture profession. Featured speaker Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee and co-sponsor of the bill, and invited speaker Catharine Young, sponsor of S.7333 (the Senate version of A.10143), will then discuss legislation.
While it has been clear, both in law and within the NYS Office of the Professions, that the use of Chinese herbs lies outside the scope of the acupuncture license, it has also been clear that the use of herbs has been an important adjunct to the clinical practice of acupuncture, based on prevailing practice and approved education.
“The confusion caused by practitioners graduating from accredited and New York State approved acupuncture training programs that include extensive herbal training and then becoming licensed as acupuncturists with a scope of practice that does NOT include herbs has become untenable,” said NYSAC Spokesman and Legislative Advisor, Kevin Ergil. “The current coalition has achieved the broadest consensus of support ever realized in the profession, both statewide and nationally.”
NYSAC’s efforts are supported by New York State’s major acupuncture professional associations, NYS acupuncture schools, licensed professionals, trade groups, and many national organizations. For more information, including the bill and NYSAC’s Legislative guide, visit www.nysacupuncture.org.
Legislative Advisor Kevin Ergil and NYSAC representatives are available for media interviews and photos by contacting Len Prazych at 518-366-9017.
CONTACT: Len Prazych, Prazych Communications: 518-366-9017
SOURCE The New York State Acupuncture Coalition, Inc.
We Have a Bill Number in the Assembly and Senate!
March 2, 2008
We are happy to announce we have a Bill Number!!!
Please follow this link to read more about it.
Assembly Bill #: A10143 Senate Bill #: S7333
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A10143
CLICK HERE FOR ENTIRE BILL
For more information, please call Joseph Alban at 917-887-4946.
Acupuncture Today NYSAC Article
March 1, 2008
Article about New York State Acupuncture Coalition efforts published in March issue.
On-Line article here.
PDF Link here.
ASNY Annual Meeting
December 1, 2007
ASNY Annual Meeting
December 9th, 2007, 4-5PM at PCOM
ANOTHER MICHAEL TAROMINA ETHICS CLASS!!!!
December 1, 2007
ANOTHER MICHAEL TAROMINA ETHICS CLASS!!!!
If you missed the last one- make sure you come to his one!
December 13, 2007 @ Pacific College Of Oriental Medicine in Manhattan, 915 Broadway, 6-10:30pm
NYSAC Ethics and Liability in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine - CEU Fundraiser presented by Michael Taromina, Esq. (4 CEU Credits/PDA Points) NCCAOM Provider #: ACHB 631-001
100 % of PROCEEDS GO TO THE NYSAC LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE
Licensed Acupuncturist: $75
Students with school ID: $25
To Register: Email your name, address, phone number to nysacupuncture@gmail.com.
Payments are accepted via paypal on our website or you can register through PCOM and check can be sent to:
Michelle Helfner
ATTN: NYSAC
140 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022
For additional information contact Michelle Helfner 917-992-6391.
Thank You ATCMS! - 12/9/07 Seminar
October 16, 2007
A special thanks to our friends at American TCM Society- they have offered to generously contribute the net proceeds of the seminar noted below. Please sign up and support two good causes!
ATCMS is pleased to announce an exciting seminar on Dec. 9, 2007, entitled “How to Diagnose and Treat Neck, Shoulder, Elbow and Wrist Diseases” and “Introduction to Diagnostic Radiology/Medical Imaging Techniques”.
How to Diagnose and Treat Neck, Shoulder,
Elbow and Wrist diseases – the role of TCM
by Jun Xu, M.D., L.Ac.
Introduction to Diagnostic Radiology/Medical Imaging Techniques
by Xiaojiang Hu, M.D.
Date and Time: 12pm to 5pm on Sunday December 9, 2007
NCCAOM CEU: 5
Fees: $60
Location:
Sheraton LaGuardian East Hotel
135-20 39th Ave. 2nd floor (Phoenix Terrace)
Flushing, NY 11354
Due to limited seats, pre-registration is required. Please send your contact information to “education@atcms.org” if you decide to attend the seminar.
October Town Hall Meeting - 10/14/07 - PCOM 3pm
October 10, 2007
October Town Hall Meeting Reminder!
Sunday October 14, 2007 @ 3:00 PM
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine 915 Broadway & 21st Street, 2nd Floor New York NY 212.982.3456
These meetings are an opportunity to gain information, show support for the profession & find out ways to get involved.
OUR THANKS TO…
A special thanks to Michael Taromina, all of the attendees and the folks at PCOM for making our fundraiser class Ethics and Liability in AOM a great success. We had a full house and look forward to more running more successful fundraising classes.
Keep checking the web page for details of new events.
NYSAC Taromina Ethics CEU
September 6, 2007
Mark on your calendars!!!
October 1, 2007 @ Pacific College Of Oriental Medicine in Manhattan, 915 Broadway, 6-10:30pm
NYSAC Ethics and Liability in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine - CEU Fundraiser presented by Michael Taromina, Esq. (4 CEU Credits/PDA Points) NCCAOM Provider #: ACHB 631-001
100 % of PROCEEDS GO TO THE NYSAC LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE
Licensed Acupuncturist: $75
Students with school ID: $25
To register click to open this Registration, fill it out and send it to:
New York State Acupuncture Coalition
ATTN: Michael Jabbour
250 Fifth Ave
Suite 507
New York, NY 10001
or Email your name, address, phone number to nysacupuncture@gmail.com.
Payments are accepted via paypal simply click on the “chip-in” button to the right or mail the registration form and check (payable to NYSAC) to the address listed above.
For additional information contact Michelle Helfner 917-992-6391.
Final Federal Rule on Dietary Supplements Released:
June 22, 2007
June 22, 2007
Final Federal Rule on Dietary Supplement cGMP Released:
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/cf0441.pdf
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/oc0790.pdf
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/dscgmps6.html
July Town Hall Meeting
June 21, 2007
Sunday July 15, 2007 @ Pacific College Of Oriental Medicine in Manhattan, 915 Broadway 5:00 PM
Taromina Publication about NYSAC in Harmony Spring 2007
June 20, 2007
Michael Taromina, Esq. published an article in the Spring 2007 Harmony volume of TCM World regarding herbal legislation in New York.
New York State Acupuncture Board Presentation
June 17, 2007
Dear AOM Colleagues:
This is an update from the NYS Acupuncture Coalition. The legislative initiative to include herbs in the scope of practice is going strong. The Coalition wishes to work in an inclusive manner and would like to facilitate communication wherever possible. The goal is to send an email update biweekly.
The most recent event was a presentation to the New York State Acupuncture Board in Manhattan on Friday June 1, 2007.
The NYS Acupuncture Board is an official arm of the New York State Education Department. Every licensed profession in New York State has a Board. The current Executive Secretary is Mr. Larry De Mers. The Chair of the Board is Peter Dubitsky, LAc and Vice Chair is Yemeng Chen, LAc.
Part of the legislative process in Albany involves the State Education Department being asked for an opinion on any Bill that effects one of the licensed professions. When the State Education Department is officially asked for an opinion it is customary for the Board of that profession to participate in information gathering and dialogue to support the State Education Department in handing down an opinion to legislators. As such it is important for the Board to be as informed as possible about the legislative effort we are undertaking. It is important to keep good communication with the Board as the process moves forward. This enables the members of the Board to be up to date and able to have an informed discussion about the legislative effort to include herbs in the LAc practice act. It also gives a favorable and supportive opinion to the administrators of the State Education Department, which can be passed on to the legislators.
As part of preparing a professional-looking presentation for the meeting with the Board, a binder packet was assembled. The packet included about 20 letters of support from state and national organizations. These included professional organizations, alumni organizations, NYS AOM schools, Chinese herb growers and suppliers, and national certifying bodies. The letters are impressive. The packet is impressive. To view the packet go to the website at www.nysacupuncture.org.
The organization and preparation of the binders was done with fervor and passion over Memorial Day weekend by members of the Steering Committee and spearheaded by Michelle Helfner, recent AOM grad of Touro and Michael Jabbour, current AOM student of Touro. They were supported by members of the Touro student body and faculty.
The meeting was attended by members of the NYS AOM community as well as members of the NYS Coalition Steering Committee.
The speakers to the Board were Dr. Mark Seem of the Tri-State College of Acupuncture. Dr. Seem read a statement prepared by a consortium of NYS AOM schools regarding the training and practice of Chinese herbology in New York.
The NYS Coalition was skillfully represented by Mr. Michael Taromina, ESQ, legal consultant to the Coalition. Mr. Taromia persuasively presented the legislative goals and explained the reasons for these goals to the Board. Mr. Taromina concluded his presentation with a request for Board support for the update to the LAc practice act when they are asked for an opinion from the State Education Department and Albany legislators.
Kathleen Golden, M.S, LAc, Steering Committee member, impressed upon the Board the importance and timeliness of this project and entertained questions and concerns from members of the Board regarding the legislative initiative.
Both Mr. Taromina and Ms. Golden made the point to the Board that the Coalition is a consensus-building and broad-based effort by the LAc profession to update the practice law in NYS. The evidence of this was the cross section of AOM community members present at the meeting. Present were: current students from the AOM schools of Touro College, Pacific College and Tri-State College, school administrators Gina Lepore and Wendy Matus from PCOM, PCOM Alumni Association President Jeremy Pulsifer, Michael Gaeta, Past President of ASNY, as mentioned, Mark Seem President of TSCA, and a handful of practicing acupuncture and Oriental medicine professionals.
The meeting went very well and the profession was represented in a polished, cohesive and professional manner. This was a successful group effort; and an impressive first brush with Albany on the legislative initiative.
Since the June 1 meeting the presentation packets prepared for that day have come in very handy for our lobbyist David Carroll in his presentation to legislators in Albany. As always, it is important for members of the profession to stay connected, check the website and PLEASE make a financial contribution to the effort. Thus far we have paid our lobbyist for 2 months of work and the July bill is just about due. In addition, we have paid professional Bill writers to work on the language of the Bill. To see the amazing and professional job they did with the language of the draft look on the website. The effort needs financial support, make a donation via the website at www.nysacupuncture.org. We must pay the lobbyist to continue to pursue our goal.
The next Town Hall/fund-raising meeting will be held on July 15 at:
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine - 915 Broadway @ 21 St., in Manhattan, to begin at 5:30 PM
Please plan to attend and bring a friend from the NYS AOM Profession.
Your Colleagues, The NYS Coalition Steering Committee
Press Packet - June 2007
June 1, 2007
A new press packet has been released in the form of two packets. One containing a summary of what we have done so far including research and support letters. The other packet is just the 18 letters of support we have received from national, state, and educational organizations.
http://www.nysacupuncture.org/NYASC-Public.pdf (retired - get latest here: 2008 Legislative Guide)
http://www.nysacupuncture.org/NYSAC-Support.pdf
Please contact nysacupuncture@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
NYSAC 5/28/07 Update
May 28, 2007
Dear Members of the New York AOM Community:
This is an update from your colleagues at the New York State Coalition.
On May 20th the second town hall meeting was held at Touro College. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the legislation for inclusion and protection of herbal medicine under the LAc license. The meeting was well attended. Once again we garnered support from many members of the community, including practitioners, students, professional organizations, and schools.
We brought everyone up to date on the Coalition’s activities, including the following developments:
*The original lobbyist discussed at the February meeting became
unavailable to the Coalition, so the members of the Steering Committee had to research and identify a new lobbyist. The search lead to Mr. David Carroll of Northeast Government Consulting (see www.ngclobby.com). Mr. Carroll is motivated, enthusiastic and already hard at work. This week he submitted our preliminary language to professional bill drafters for review. He also held numerous meeting with contacts in Albany on behalf of our legislation. He is working to get us a bill number by the end of the legislative session.
*Our original lobbying day, planned for April, was postponed due to need to find new representation. Now, with David Carroll’s support, we are looking to reschedule that day for some time after the summer break. We will let you know as soon as the date is finalized.
*The State Board for Acupuncture is meeting on June 1. At this time the Steering Committee will make a formal presentation to the Board, to seek support for our initiative.
*After the bill is numbered we can all begin to visit legislators in their home offices to make contact, inform them of the bill, and ask for support and favorable passage once the bill is presented for vote.
We are building and learning as we move along. It is important to stay connected in the process. Feedback from the May 20th meeting indicates the importance of inclusion and communication. Look for regular email updates and more consistent follow up in the months to come. Also, we understand the need to provide time and room for dialogue—our next general meeting will be organized to encourage open discussion and dialogue.
Thank you for your continued support as we move forward toward achieving
our legislative goals.
Best wishes for the Memorial Day Holiday.
With kind regards,
The Steering Committee of the New York State Acupuncture Coalition
Upcoming Town Hall Meeting! - May 20th, 2007
May 4, 2007
Sunday May 20, 2007 @ Touro College in Manhattan, 27 West 23 St. off 6th Ave. 6th floor, 4:30 PM
Dear AOM Colleagues:
In February 2007 The NYS Acupuncture Coalition sponsored a Town Hall meeting at Touro College to put forward to the professional community a legislative proposal that seeks to protect the use of herbal medicine within the acupuncture license. The proposal met with tremendous support from the community. This includes seasoned practitioners, new graduates, students, Chinese herb growers and suppliers, AOM professional organizations and schools.
There followed from the meeting continued outreach and communication efforts. To this end a question and answer session was held at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in March, which was well attended. A meeting in Long Island is in the planning stages and a follow up meeting in Manhattan will be held on May 20th. The Steering Committee has continued to hold weekly conference calls and to respond to issues as they arise.
Legislative initiatives require patience, tenaciousness and a commitment to keep the focus on the proposed goal. This requires a commitment over the long term and to see the Bill go through it’s many stages, over multiple legislative seasons. The initiative is still active alive and kicking. IT NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT.
If you wish to see this goal achieved attend the meeting, bring a colleague and if you can not make the meeting: make a financial contribution to pay our lobbyist. If the profession wishes to achieve the benefit of legal acknowledgment of it’s herbal work, financial support is a requirement. You can do this at the meeting or on the web site @ www.nysacupuncture.org.
Please join members of the New York Acupuncture/ Oriental medicine community and the Coalition Steering Committee
Sunday May 20, 2007 @ Touro College in Manhattan, 27 West 23 St. off 6th Ave. 6th floor, 4:30 PM
This is a follow up meeting to continue to chart the course for the achievement of legal, inclusive and protected use of herbal medicine for the licensed acupuncturist in New York State.
Trip To Albany Update
March 29, 2007
Since the folks up in Albany are very busy working on the State Budget right now, our bill number has been delayed. The April 24th date needs to be rescheduled, the new date is currently pending. As soon as it is available, we will post on the site and send out an email. Thanks to everyone that was planning on joining us in April and stay tuned for the new date! If we don’t have your email address please email us at nysacupuncture@gmail.com we can keep you up to date.
Updated Frequently Asked Questions
March 13, 2007
We have updated our Frequently Asked Questions.
They are posted here: nysacupuncture.org/about/faq
ASNY Scope of Practice Consensus
February 27, 2007
ASNY Scope of Practice Consensus
To Our Fellow New York State Practitioners of Chinese Medicine:
First, we want to thank those of you who returned our recent poll. We studied every response, and gave particular consideration to the comments many of you added to the space provided for additional feedback. The raw data minus comments and names are available at asny.org/poll.xls. The results from over a hundred responders make it clear that our profession has diverse opinions concerning the herbal scope of practice issue. However, from some of your comments, it is clear that there is a misunderstanding of the ASNY board’s position on this issue. We apologize for that and seek to change that now.
ASNY and the Coalition are in full agreement on the legislative objectives regarding the addition of herbs to our scope of practice as stated on the New York State Acupuncture Coalition (NYSAC) website (nysacupuncture.org) As you may well know, currently the use of herbs is legally unregulated and unrecognized by the State of New York. Anyone at all can recommend herbs. What we all desire is to acquire legal protection for the use of herbs for our profession.
The ASNY board is keenly aware of the professional reality involving the differences between the practice of acupuncture and the practice of herbology. We are aware of the differences in training and the fact that acupuncturists have limited academic exposure to herbs within the formal educational environment. In no way is ASNY suggesting or encouraging untrained acupuncturists to use or recommend herbs to their patients. Yet we also recognize that some—perhaps many—have additional training in herbs, some through outside classes and distance learning coursework, some through apprenticing, and some through self-study. We are not suggesting acupuncturists use herbs outside their knowledge base, just that they should be in our legal scope of practice. For this reason we are in support of including “ready made” herbal formulations in the legal scope of practice for the acupuncturist. Any custom made herbal formulas or modifications to standard formulas demand a high level of training. ASNY supports the requirement of additional training and the completion of the NCCAOM Diplomate in Oriental Medicine.
ASNY has an important asset in the fight ahead, our talented lobbyist, Tim Sheridan. Mr. Sheridan was instrumental in getting ASNY’s initial licensure bill through the State Assembly in 1991. He is an expert in maneuvering through the political intricacies in Albany and has been on retainer with ASNY for over fifteen years. In his opinion we face two major challenges: we are two critical votes shy of being able to get ANY legislation out of the Education Committee and onto the floor of the legislature for a vote. Another hurdle will be the AMA (American Medical Association), which has a multi-million dollar war chest designed to defeat any increase in scope of practice of any CAM profession, anywhere in the U.S. We’ve been told that the AMA has earmarked at least $25,000 to New York State for such a battle.
As a tactic for success, we need to ask for more than we want. As our lobbyist states, “If you want five you must ask for ten. Every health profession will have their hands on the bill and each will want to cut out that which is important to them. The AMA, the chiropractors, the naturopaths, the dentists and the podiatrist and physical therapists will all comment and try to alter the bill. The more you include the more you have to bargain with.”
And, most importantly, to win against such strong adversaries requires your help, too. As such, we ask that each of you remain current in your membership, and if it has lapsed, renew immediately through asny.org. Only through strength and unity can we succeed.
We welcome your continuing feedback on this important and complex issue. As your board, our role is to act as leaders and representatives of the profession. However we also try to represent the views of our constituent members. To effectively act as your voice, we must continue to communicate. Please feel free to reply with any comments.
We thank you for your continued support as we strive to do what is best for our profession.
The ASNY Board
Press Release - Town Hall - 2/11/07
February 26, 2007
New York Stat Acupuncture Coalition Town Hall
Press Release - 2/11/07
On Sunday, February 11, 2007, the steering committee for the New York State Acupuncture Coalition, hosted a town hall meeting at Touro College to discuss proposed changes to the scope of practice for licensed acupuncturists in the state. The meeting, organized by steering committee member, Kathy Taromina, MS, Lac, brought together over 100 people, including practitioners, students, representatives of state and national organizations, herbal growers and suppliers, and interested members of the general public.
Kathleen Golden, MS, LAc, steering committee member, welcomed everyone and introduced the distinguished assembled panel. She gave a history of acupuncture regulation in the state and detailed the contributions that went into the scope of practice initiative.
Michael Taromina, Esq., steering committee counsel, outlined the proposed legislation, which includes the following:
1) language to amend the current acupuncture law to encompass the practice of herbs
2) proposal to include a mandatory continuing education provision to bring acupuncture professional standards in line with other medical providers and many other licensed professions in the state. The proposal includes a CEU requirement of thirty six hours per three years licensure term.
3) setting the acupuncturist membership of the state acupuncture board to the same ratios as other professional boards and
4) allowing for visiting faculty to practice within an educational context.
Following the presentation of the proposed legislation, distinguished panelists from the acupuncture and Oriental medicine field discussed the proposed legislation. Those participating included Yemeng Chen, LAc, president and academic dean of New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and official representative of TCMAA; Jean Giblette, Director of High Falls Gardens; Thomas Leung, owner of Kamwo Chinese Herbal Pharmacy; Marilee Murphy,LAc, RN, dean of acupuncture and Oriental medicine at New York Chiropractic College and steering committee member; Steven Schram PhD, DC, LAc, representing the board of the Acupuncture Society of New York; Betsy Smith, associate deputy director for legislative and state issues at the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Elaine Stern, LAc; and Kejian Xiao,MB, LAc, faculty member, Touro College.
After the panelists concluded their statements, steering committee member Megan Haungs, MS, LAc, LMT, mediated an audience discussion of the proposal. Comments included support for the proposal, questions about the continuing education requirement, and a discussion of the proposed educational requirements for practitioners recommending custom-made herbal formulations.
Taking the floor again, Taromina asked the attendees for a show of applause indicating their support for going forward with the proposed legislation as it now stands…and the response was an overwhelming show of support for the initiative.
Golden then outlined the next steps to be taken, including letter writing and political outreach. A community-wide trip to Albany is planned for Tuesday April 24th.
The meeting was a historic moment for the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession in New York State and was especially notable for the across-the-board agreement among practitioners, students, alumni associations, schools, and numerous state associations to move forward with the initiative.
For more information on the Initiative please visit nysacupuncture.org.
