Every year, women legislators meet to discuss important issues facing our country and enjoy a relaxing weekend together beyond the partisanship of politics. This year, at the 72nd National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) conference held at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort on the Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico over Labor Day weekend, the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) showed a strong presence when 25 Doctors of Oriental Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturists gave over 100 treatments to our elected officials, demonstrating firsthand the effectiveness of acupuncture and Tui Na.
AAAOM members attended the entire weekend’s events to educate these leaders about this medicine. The women legislators were very open to what Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) have to offer the healthcare system in our country. Even though some had very little prior awareness of, or direct contact with, AOM, all of them were appreciative of the treatments they received and many, if not most, experienced dramatic and positive results.
AOM got a big boost from keynote speeches by two of AAAOM’s most dynamic speakers, educating the audience about how AOM can help solve America’s health care crisis. AAAOM Public Member/Counsel Michael Taromina spoke passionately about the economic benefits of including Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in mainstream health care, and AAAOM President Emeritus Claudette Baker spoke eloquently from a clinical perspective, outlining what conditions Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine can treat and illustrating how AOM can alleviate the burden of chronic and acute primary care in the U.S.
Robin Reed, president of the NFWL, stated "I am so pleased NFWL's National Policy Committee on Healthcare & Empowerment has decided to partner with the AAAOM. Our elected women have come to realize that the acupuncturists' addition to the health care delivery system is critical to ensuring the wellness of our country as a whole. After having the opportunity to interact with practitioners from across the nation, our legislators understand how important it is for acupuncturists to be included on the list of cost-saving solutions to meet the needs of their constituents."
As a result of bringing this medicine and message directly to the legislators, a resolution has been passed declaring parity for acupuncture as a health care profession:
Inclusion of Acupuncturists Access to Care Resolution,
http://www.aaaomonline.info/Inclusion_of_Acupuncturists_Access_to_Care_Resolution_passed_Sept_2009.pdf
thereby paving the way for future growth, recognition, and legislative acceptance of AOM in the U.S.
This weekend was the first time that a cross-section of elected state and federal government officials from every part of the country experienced this medicine and heard this message firsthand. As a result of this effort, the AOM profession now has their support, solidarity and vote in favor of expanding AOM’s role in American health care.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment