June 20th, 2020
Assemblymember Rob Bonta
1303 Tenth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblymember Rob Bonta,
The California State Oriental Medical Association (CSOMA), is writing to inform you of our concerns and objections to the Athletic Trainers Bill (AB 1592 & AB 1665), as amended in assembly January 14, 2020.
Our first objection is to the omission of the practice of Acupuncture in section 2697.14 which outlines the exclusions of practice to Athletic Trainers in the state of California. We believe this permits the proposed Athletic Training Practice Act to permit, at a later date and through future amendment, the practice of Acupuncture by Athletic Trainers of California under the guise of “Dry Needling” techniques.
Our second objection is in regards to the wording of section 2697.12 (a) which outlines the Scope of Practice for Athletic Trainers. Within these sections 2697.12(a)(3) and 2697.12(a)(4) states that an Athletic Trainer can provide “immediate care of an injury ” and “rehabilitation and reconditioning from an injury sustained or exacerbated while participating in athletic activity…. ”
CSOMA believes that along with the previous stated omission of the Practice of Acupuncture in the exclusion section of the Bill AB1592, 2697.12a Scope of Practice section will permit Athletic Trainers to practice Acupuncture directly on patients without referral to a Licensed Acupuncturist.
Our third objection regards the section of the proposed amended bill 2697.12 (d)
(d) An athletic trainer shall not provide, offer to provide, or represent that they are qualified to provide any treatment that they are not qualified to perform by their professional education or advanced post professional study or does not fall within the scope of practice of athletic training.
CSOMA strongly believes that this section does not go far enough to protect the safe practice of Acupuncture in California. With the aforementioned exclusion of the Practice of Acupuncture in the section 2697.14, we believe this current wording will permit the future practice of Acupuncture by Athletic Trainers.
CSOMA strongly objects to AB 1592 as currently written and amended on January 14, 2020, as it represents a potential public safety danger to Californians by persons practicing Acupuncture (aka Dry Needling), which are grossly under-trained to administer Acupuncture safely and effectively. As you know, Licensed Acupuncturists are required to spend up to 950 hours of direct and supervised training under accredited educational programs for the safe and effective administration of Acupuncture to patients.
CSOMA is requesting that you strongly consider objecting the current wording and omissions contained within AB 1592 and AB1665 on the basis of the lack of protections to the public safety in regard to the Licensed Practice of Acupuncture in California. In addition, CSOMA is requesting that “Acupuncture” be included under section 2697.14 which outlines the exclusions of practice to Athletic Trainers in the state of California.
Thank you again for your important work at this critical time.
Nell Smircina
CSOMA President
president@csomaonline.org
Ra Adcock
CSOMA Executive Director
ra@csomaonline.org