The Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act, H.R. 4803, is one of the most important nationwide opportunities we've ever had to increase patient access to our care and ensure that licensed acupuncturists are the primary providers of acupuncture care. There are many ways you can get involved and take action to support H.R. 4803.

Whether you want to write letters, meet with your legislators, get your patients engaged and involved, or take a more active role in advocating for H.R 4803, we have options that will fit your interest level and lifestyle. The only requirement is your desire to advocate for expanding access to acupuncture, and getting licensed acupuncturists recognized as providers for the already-approved use of acupuncture by Medicare. We can guide your efforts and offer a variety of ways to participate.

Our legislators are elected to represent and serve the will of their constituents. They need to hear from many of their constituents to best understand our needs, and our position on issues that will directly affect us. It's important that they hear from us, as licensed acupuncturists, to understand how H.R. 4803 will affect our profession, our individual practices and our ability to provide care to patients. And it's just as important that they hear from our patients.

A Letter-Writing Campaign for You and Your Patients

We've set up access to an easy-to-use tool for advocating to our elected representatives. Phone2Action has a new name, Capitol Canary, but is still the same free advocacy tool that makes connecting with your representatives as easy as clicking a button.

Anyone who wishes to support H.R. 4803 to increase our patients' access to licensed acupuncturists can join in our efforts by registering on Capitol Canary. This tool guides anyone who registers to send letters to your legislators asking them to support H.R. 4803.

We have provided drafted templates for each type of user (LAc, student, patient, acupuncture ally, and more). Capitol Canary will make sure the letters are sent to your current representatives. You can also sign up for updates that will keep you informed of the bill's progress and our advocacy efforts.

You will find the link to register for Capitol Canary (formerly Phone2Action) on the homepage of the ASA website, www.asacu.org, or you can register via text by following the steps below:

Register by Text in 4 Steps:

1. Type in the word below that best describes you [see table].
2. Send a text to #52886.
3. Click send.
4. You will receive a link; once you click on the link, you can register and begin using it!

How Patients Can Take Action to Support H.R. 4803

Patients are often our biggest supporters and H.R. 4803 will directly affect their access to acupuncture performed by licensed acupuncturists. Patients who want their voices to be heard can support our efforts by submitting their testimonials using our patient testimonial kit.

Patient testimonials can personalize H.R. 4803 by adding a face and a story to our issue. They add an emotional impact by illustrating and detailing how acupuncture treatments have impacted their lives.

The patient testimonial kit makes this process easy for you and your patients. Anyone can use this kit; it is available right now on the ASA's website in the banner at the top of the homepage. Patients who are willing to share their stories and complete the prepared testimonial worksheet and form, as well as a signed authorization form, can participate – regardless of why they were seeking treatments. This is not limited to back pain or any other specific reason for seeking treatment. In fact, we are hoping to receive testimonials for a wide variety of chief complaints from patients of all ages.

Meeting With Your Legislators: We Can Help

As we mentioned last issue, lawmakers want to hear from their constituents. Your story, your experience, your perspective make a difference. This summer, the ASA and the NCCAOM invite you to join the "summer push" to meet with your U.S. representatives. Advocate for H.R. 4803 by meeting with your representative's office.

Congress is gearing up for a busy summer of work in D.C. before heading home for campaign season. On June 13, the ASA and the NCCAOM began its virtual summer push to secure more co-sponsors for H.R. 4803.

Participating is easy and no policy experience is necessary! All you need to do is register and the ASA/NCCAOM team will schedule a meeting with your U.S. representative's office.

Shortly before the summer push, the ASA and NCCAOM provided a training session (live and now available as a recording) to provide all the information you need ahead of your meeting. ASA / NCCAOM training includes an overview of H.R. 4803, best practices for conducting virtual Hill meetings, talking points for H.R. 4803, and your unique role in these meetings.

Earn NCCAOM PDA Points by Advocating for Legislation

Many NCCAOM diplomates may not realize they can get up to 10 Professional Development Activity (PDA) points for advocating on behalf of legislation that promotes the acupuncture and herbal medicine profession. Not only can you help promote H.R. 4803, but you also can qualify to achieve PDA points for the professional enhancement category. Please consult the NCCAOM Recertification Handbook or click on the certification tab on the NCCAOM website.

We Are Stronger Together

Your voice is invaluable to advancing H.R. 4803 and the summer push is a quick, easy and fun way to get involved – and get a little taste of D.C. from afar! Please feel free to contact with any questions.

The ASA and NCCAOM websites have many resources to learn more about our bill and its mpact to our profession and our patients. (Many of these resources are available in Chinese as well.) "The Roadmap to Medicare" offers an overview of our process and our anticipated path going forward. The H.R. 4803 Fact Sheet highlights important talking points for the bill. We hope you will join us and take action to support H.R. 4803 today. We are stronger together!

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