With A.B. 918, legislation that would replace California's acupuncture licensing exam (CALE) with one or more National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine exams as determined by the board, generating considerable debate, the legislation has become a two-year bill. This is generally reserved for legislation introduced early in the first half of a session that may not be able to meet specific progress deadlines mandated by the legislature.
According to the California State Oriental Medicine Association in announcing the change to its members: "In the world of legislative policy, this means:
Acupuncture stays on the table and top of mind for California policymakers;
We now have MORE time to collaborate with allied professions and acupuncture stakeholders;
Potential additions and enhancements can be made to the existing bill, to even better serve our profession."
Introduced on Feb. 17, 2021, by Assembly member Sharon Quirk-Silva, A.B. 918 would "amend Section 4938 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts" to require that an applicant for an acupuncture license in California, among other stipulations, obtain "a passing score on one or more examinations administered by the [NCCAOM], as determined by the board based on the skills, standards, and knowledge required for licensure pursuant to this act." Among several concerns voiced thus far regarding the current bill text is whether CALE should remain as an exam option.
Click here to track the progress of A.B. 918, including any amendments from the original and its progress through the California Assembly & Senate.
Pelvic pain has a prevalence of >25% in women and >15% in men, and up to 50% of cases are undiagnosed, demonstrating that there is a definite need for pelvic care awareness among health care practitioners. As holistic practitioners, acupuncturists offer a safe space for clients and are often the practitioners clients seek out when nothing else has worked. Thus, acupuncturists are presented with an opportunity to serve an underserved population.
Though the creation of a financially sustainable, health-promoting model feels far away today, we are casting a vision for a full return on health, believing that this compels us to keep one foot firmly rooted in caring for the sick and the other foot firmly founded in maintaining health. Shifting from a fee-for-service model to value-based care using a phased approach is paramount.
Traditional Chinese medicine and the Vedic traditions both offer rich frameworks for understanding human health, emphasizing the balance of physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. The concept of "souls" or spiritual components in TCM, namely Hun, Po, Shen, Yi, and Zhi, bears significant similarities to the yogic concept of koshas. Their similarities and differences provide insights into how these systems contribute to holistic health practices.
