To: US Department of Health and Human Services
Include Acupuncture Under Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Deadline 1/31/12
In 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, a health insurance reform law intended to ensure access to quality and affordable health insurance for all Americans. Starting in 2014, most health plans will be required to offer a comprehensive package of items and services to patients, known as "essential health benefits” (EHB). Under the new law, EHB must cover certain specific services including emergency services, maternity and newborn care, prescription drugs as well as preventive and wellness services, among others.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently accepting input regarding their approach to establishing EHBs. A strong public show of support for acupuncture as an essential health benefit will be noticed by policymakers and may lay a solid foundation for future federal acupuncture services recognition.
Send an email directly to: [email protected] and carbon copy [email protected] so that the AAAOM can track the letters sent. The deadline for comments is January 31, 2012.
Thank you for your support to help the AOM profession. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact AAAOM at 1-866-455-7999, extension 3, or [email protected].
Sample EHB Letter
to: [email protected]
cc: [email protected]
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
To Whom It May Concern:
In response to The Department of Health and Human Services 12/16/11 bulletin outlining proposed policies that will give states more flexibility to implement the Affordable Care Act, please accept my comments contained in this letter and include same as part of the Public Comment period due by 1/31/12:
A. I [have been or am currently] a patient of acupuncture and consider it an essential part of my health care. [Describe your success story here.]
B. Acupuncture should be included as an Essential Health Benefit by HHS under the Affordable Care Act.
C. States should be specifically directed by HHS to include acupuncture in their Essential Health Benefits Package.
Respectfully Submitted,
Name -- add Credentials if you like
Address --- add Phone if you like
Why is this important?
Acupuncture is safe, low cost, and effective medicine. Increasing its availability would benefit healthcare in America by reducing costs and improving outcomes for a wide range of health conditions. This is especially true for America's most vulnerable citizens, the sick and elderly, who could benefit the most from acupuncture if cost was less of a barrier.