Public Health Committee

JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT

SPONSORS OF BILL:

Public Health Committee

REASONS FOR BILL:

To update licensing requirements for acupuncturists:

RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:

No Response

NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:

Carrie Sawtell, L.Ac., Many Rivers Community Acupuncture: I am a licensed acupuncturist in Connecticut and the owner of a community acupuncture clinic in Windsor. Currently I provide approximately 80 treatments per week and I am planning to hire another acupuncturist to meet the growing demand. I believe passage of this law will give credibility to my practice.

David LoPriore, L.Ac.: I am a Connecticut resident, a licensed acupuncturist, and a teacher of the traditional Asian arts of self cultivation and holistic wellness for 27 years. Many patients and students travel here for my services from other states. I support the bill because it encourages requirements for the appropriate administration of acupuncture and Oriental medical services and prevent residents from receiving sub-standard care by unqualified, under-, and uneducated persons.

Joan-Alice Taylor, PT, Psy.D., LPC, CBT; President, CT Physical Therapy Association

CT Physical Therapy Association supports section (g) of the bill, which clarifies that physical therapists are allowed to use “dry needling” techniques within the accepted standards of the physical therapy profession.

Joe Pandolfo: As a member of CT Society for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CSAOM), I encourage adoption of the bill with the revision and recommendations that CSAOM worked on with DPH. This proposal will bring the acupuncturists' licensing law up-to-date with the actual curriculum and examination standards presently required for state licensure. The inclusion of these standards in Connecticut's statutes will more accurately depict the quality of services that acupuncturists provide to their patients.

Karen Marie Borla, L.Ac., M.Ac.: I am a licensed acupuncturist and small business owner specializing in fertility. I have had thousands of hours of training in Oriental medicine and Western medicine. To ensure that Connecticut acupuncturists are held to the highest standards held nationally, I encourage the passage of the bill with revisions and recommendations that CSAOM and DPH are working on.

Kory Ward-Cook, Ph.D., MT(ASCP), CAE; Chief Executive Officer, National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM): NCCAOM is pleased that Connecticut is considering adding NCCAOM certification as a requirement for acupuncture licensure. This will ensure that Connecticut acupuncturist meet recognized national standards.

Margaret Barili, RN, LAc, Dipl.Ac: As a registered nurse, Masters-degreed, national certified, and licensed acupuncturist, and owner of a private practice of acupuncture and family holistic health care, I encourage approval of this bill which contains revisions recommended by the CSAOM who is working with DPH.

Regina Walsh, LAc; President, CT Society of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Regina Walsh supports the bill because it increases public safety, improve the level of medical care provided through acupuncture services, and increase the education standards of practitioners.

NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:

None Presented