Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine:
Legislative Overview for Michigan

FOCUS ON HEALING—
By Sylvia McCollough

Michigan is finally moving forward toward joining approximately 41 other states already regulating Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. House Bill 5205, introduced by State House Majority Floor Leader, Representative Randy Richardville, is currently in the House Public Health Policy Committee chaired by Rep. Steven Ehardt.

On May 12th, Representative Ehardt held a work task force committee meeting by which the bill was reviewed. Representatives from the major health interest groups attended and the review concluded they are in support and the bill will be scheduled for a full committee hearing in the near future. “We anticipate that HB 5205 will pass and we can have it on the Governor’s desk before the end of this year,” says Deborah Lincoln, President of MAAOM, who has fought for this legislation well over a decade.

HB 5205 is supported by a large majority of major health care groups and providers, according to Sylvia McCollough, MAAOM lobbyist. MAAOM has worked hard to reach this point and strongly support the bill. “The main purpose of HB5205 is to protect the people of Michigan from any possible harm due to practitioners who have sub-standard training in acupuncture. Any time needles are involved in the health care profession, certain standards must be met. It’s the State’s responsibility to make sure the public is protected from practitioners who aren’t qualified and don’t meet the National Standards” said McCollough.

HB 5205 has bipartisan support in both legislative chambers according to McCollough, and is expected to pass before the Legislative summer recess.
HB 5205 provides Michigan practitioners the opportunity that acupuncturists in 42 other states now have, peace of mind in knowing that their chosen profession is regulated and protected by the law. Toward this end, the Michigan Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is in complete support of this bill and welcome state laws that govern their profession for the practice of acupuncture in Michigan.

The bill as proposed achieves this goal by defining and establishing regulation for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and creates a self-sustaining regulatory board appropriate to cover Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine practitioners. The bill will not affect the status of Medical and Osteopathic Doctors who now practice acupuncture, and are already governed by existing medical laws of the state.

“We can’t take the chance that some unscrupulous practitioner will cause harm to the public by using unsterilized needles on clients, possibly exposing them to disease,” said Deborah Lincoln, President of MAAOM. According to the Canadian Press, recent cases in Toronto and Montreal caused the Quebec government to ask 1,144 people to undergo blood tests for HIV and hepatitis after needles were used more than once at an acupuncture clinic.

Officials caution that the risks of infection are minimal. “But we can’t say they don’t exist,” Dr. John Carsley, an infectious disease specialist told a news conference. “In Michigan, we don’t want to wait for a disaster to happen,” said Ms. Lincoln, we want to act preventively, that’s why MAAOM is pushing hard for the passage of HB 5205.

For further information contact:

Deborah Lincoln, President
Michigan Acupuncture Association and Oriental Medicine
2501 Jolly Rd., Suite 120 / Okemos, MI 48864
Phone: (517) 381-0299