This isn’t the first time acupuncture’s status as a covered service within Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid health care program, has been threatened; in fact, from 2009-2016 Medi-Cal recipients did not have access to acupuncture services.1 Since then, the profession has faced a perpetual battle to preserve its role within Medi-Cal – and been successful in defeating efforts to remove it.
The latest example: The California Assembly and Senate have agreed to keep acupuncture as a covered Medi-Cal benefit,2 despite Gov. Newsom proposing it be removed as part of a 2024-25 budget revision. Acupuncture faced a similar battle last fall when Gov. Newsom proposed the original 2024-25 budget.3
Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), chair of the Senate Budget Committee, emphasized acupuncture’s value in announcing the decision not to remove it from Medi-Cal:2
“Acupuncture is a critical health care tool to manage chronic pain and for other health needs. ... The state faces serious budget challenges this year, but acupuncture treatments can save us money in the long run by preventing those with chronic pain from switching to dangerously addictive opioids. I’m extremely grateful to leaders in the acupuncture community for fighting for the community and working with me on this important need.”
The final budget revision will not be approved until June 15th, but unless a catastrophic reversal occurs, California acupuncturists participating in the state’s Medi-Cal program can breathe their latest collective sigh of relief – as can Medi-Cal patients who benefit from the valuable care they receive.
References
One of the longest nerves in the body is known as the vagus nerve (VN). The VN is the 10th pair of cranial nerves that originates at the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the ANS. Research suggests ear acupuncture can activate the VN.
In prior issues, Neil discussed the Gallbladder Official as a whole (March 20 including points 17 and 24); points 37-41 (June 2013); points 1, 16, and 20 (May 2021); and points 2-3, 8-9, and 12-13 (April 2024). This article focuses on GB points 7, 10, 14-15, 18-19, 21, and 23.
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of pain and disability, often managed with pharmacological and surgical interventions. However, acupuncture has long been used as a non-invasive treatment for knee pain, and recent research provides new insights into its underlying mechanisms.
