ALBANY, N.Y., April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York State Acupuncture Coalition, Inc. (NYSAC) will host Acupuncture Day on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at "The Well" in the Legislative Office Building in Albany. Officials, representatives and educators from acupuncture colleges, state and national organizations, volunteers, the general public and the media will gather to discuss proposed legislation that affects NYS licensed acupuncturists, schools of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM), the NYS Office of Professions, and most importantly, patients. The proposed legislation intends to legitimize that which already exists: the practice of using herbs by acupuncturists with extensive and credentialed herbal training. Light refreshments will be served.
Proceedings commence at 9:30 a.m. when Keynote speaker, the Honorable Ellen Young, sponsor of Assembly Bill A.10143, will speak on legislative initiatives affecting the acupuncture profession. Featured speaker Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee and co-sponsor of the bill, and invited speaker Catharine Young, sponsor of S.7333 (the Senate version of A.10143), will then discuss legislation.
While it has been clear, both in law and within the NYS Office of the Professions, that the use of Chinese herbs lies outside the scope of the acupuncture license, it has also been clear that the use of herbs has been an important adjunct to the clinical practice of acupuncture, based on prevailing practice and approved education.
"The confusion caused by practitioners graduating from accredited and New York State approved acupuncture training programs that include extensive herbal training and then becoming licensed as acupuncturists with a scope of practice that does NOT include herbs has become untenable," said NYSAC Spokesman and Legislative Advisor, Kevin Ergil. "The current coalition has achieved the broadest consensus of support ever realized in the profession, both statewide and nationally."
NYSAC's efforts are supported by New York State's major acupuncture professional associations, NYS acupuncture schools, licensed professionals, trade groups, and many national organizations. For more information, including the bill and NYSAC's Legislative guide, visit www.nysacupuncture.org.
Legislative Advisor Kevin Ergil and NYSAC representatives are available for media interviews and photos by contacting Len Prazych at 518-366-9017.
CONTACT: Len Prazych, Prazych Communications: 518-366-9017
SOURCE The New York State Acupuncture Coalition, Inc.
