Announcement from AAAOM
Dear NCCAOM Diplomates:
In 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act [1], 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.
The AAAOM would like you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to take action to advance and protect the acupuncture profession by asking that acupuncture be included in the Essential Health Benefit package. Please take action by going to the AAAOM website, as soon as possible, where you will be promoted to send an electronic letter to the Department of Health and Human Services. You are encouraged to ask your patients, colleagues and others to comment on this most important issue.
PLEASE VISIT THE NOW FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND TO SEND YOUR PERSONAL COMMENTS. To send a message to HHS, visit aaaomonline.org/ehb [2] or send an email directly to: EssentialHealthBenefits@cms.hhs.gov [3] and carbon copy EHB@aaaomonline.org [4] 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 info@aaaomonline.org [5].
Links:
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[1] http://www.healthcare.gov/law/index.html
[2] http://aaaom.rallycongress.com/5887/acupuncture-as-an-essential-health-benefit-public-input/
[3] EssentialHealthBenefits@cms.hhs.gov
[4] EHB@aaaomonline.org
[5] info@aaaomonline.org
Tai Chi for Heart Health and Balance: Research Evidence and Clinical Implications
Thursday, October 13, 2011
8:00 a.m. ~ 103 Rowell Building
Reception immediately following
*Free and open to the public*
Peter Wayne, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and
Director of Research, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
based at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Dr. Wayne’s current research, supported by NIH grants,
focuses on evaluating how Tai Chi and related mind-body
practices clinically impact a variety of health conditions
(osteoporosis, balance impairment, heart failure, pulmonary
disease, depression), and understanding the physiological,
mechanical, and psychological mechanisms underlying mindbody
practices’ therapeutic effects. Peter also has more than
30 years of training experience in Tai Chi and Qigong, and is
an internationally recognized teacher of these practices.