On Wednesday, November 8th, 2017, after many months of planning by the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) and the American Alliance for Professional Acupuncture Safety (AAPAS), the acupuncture community held its first-ever “Congressional Briefing” on Capitol Hill.
Sponsored by Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH), the Democratic co-chair of the Congressional Addiction, Treatment & Recovery Caucus, and Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) who has introduced groundbreaking federal legislation to get acupuncture to our veterans, and held in the Rayburn House Office Building, the event was a resounding success.
Over 50 staff members were in attendance including representatives from House members Loebsack (D-IA), Butterfield (D-NC), Bishop (R-UT), Brownley (D-CA26), Lieu (D-CA33), Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Garamendi (D-CA3), Lofgren (D-CA19), Moore (D- WI), Rogers (R-AL), Speier (D-CA14), Bass (D-CA37), Crawford (R-AR), Posey (R-FL), Crowley (D-NY), Matsui (D-CA6), O’Halleran (D-AZ), Speaker Pelosi (D-CA12), Johnson (D-GA), and Gottheimer (D- NJ), and Senate members Tillis (R- NC), Leahy (D-VT), Blumenthal (D- CT), Cardin (D-MD), Boozman (R- AR), Ernst (R-IA).
This was a rare bi-partisan event.
In addition, there was ample representation from the Chronic Care community and other trade associations addressing pain, including the Arthritis Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, the US Pain Association, and the American Physical Therapy Association.The NCCAOM was also graciously in attendance.