U.S. Representatives Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) have reintroduced the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act (now H.R. 1667) in the 119th Congress. As with previous iterations of the legislation, H.R. 1667 would authorize the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to recognize qualified acupuncturists as Medicare providers.
Recognizing acupuncturists in this manner is crucial in that even Medicare’s current coverage of acupuncture – for chronic low back pain – does not allow acupuncturists to treat seniors suffering from chronic LBP because they lack Medicare provider status.
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) weighed in on the importance of the legislation:
“There is no time more critical than now to remove barriers to acupuncturists so they can provide covered acupuncture services to Medicare beneficiaries,” said NCCAOM CEO Mina Larson, MS, MBA, CAE. ”Current barriers push Seniors toward invasive surgeries and opioid reliance, to the detriment of their long-term health. Increasing access to acupuncturists will help improve healthcare outcomes and reduce healthcare spending for chronic conditions.”
"The number of Medicare beneficiaries is projected to grow from 63 to 80 million over the next seven years. At the same time, this population currently has limited access to the practitioners with the most specific and advanced training who can provide non-pharmacological acupuncture treatments," said ASA Chair Olivia Hsu Friedman, DACM, LAc. "This bill is crucial in removing that barrier, ensuring broader direct access to acupuncturists, and expanding options for safe, effective pain management.”
H.R. 3133, the previous iteration of the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act, was unable to progress to a vote by the end of the 2023-2024 Congress, requiring that it be reintroduced for 2025-2026 as H.R. 1667. Molly Ford, NCCAOM government relations chair, explained what can make the difference in advancing H.R. 1667 through the legislature:
“The pathway to advancing the Acupuncture for our Seniors Act requires a strategy of discipline and patience to establish and grow bipartisan support among lawmakers. This strategy, led by the ASA and the NCCAOM, seeks to secure a balance of Republican and Democratic co-sponsors to help set H.R. 1667 apart from the 10,000+ bills that will be introduced during the 119th Congress. Without a sustained balance of support, this bill simply won’t gain the traction that it needs to advance through Congress.”
Look for updates on H.R. 1667 as they occur, including advocacy by the NCCAOM and ASA and how you can participate.
Resources
- Ford M. “The ASA and the NCCAOM Endorse H.R. 1667, the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act of 2025.” Press release, NCCAOM Govt. Relations, Feb. 28, 2025. Read Here
- “Reps. Chu, Fitzpatrick Introduce Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act to Expand Access to Acupuncture in Medicare.” Office of Rep. Judy Chu, Feb. 28, 2025. Read Here
