Contributing to the Acupuncture Law of Arizona

Contributing to the Acupuncture Law of Arizona - SB1080

As all of you already know from the news, in 2022 Arizona passed the SB1080 into law, which now defines Acupuncture as a "System of Medicine". What probably you don’t know is that the part of that law that enables acupuncturists to order labs and imaging was my own personal contribution.

But let’s start from the beginning. In the first week of January 2022, there was a meeting at the Francine Restaurant in Scottsdale, where several of us discussed the direction of acupuncture in the State. It has been years since the last update in the acupuncture law, and excitement levels were high. Certain directions were considered, such as animal acupuncture and AHCCCS to be included in SB1080. But in the end my suggestion was to go with the absolute necessities first, and therefore labs and imaging found their way into the proposal. On the other hand, animal acupuncture and AHCCCS will be considered for 2023.

I also worked really close with the former PIHMA Lobbyist, to craft the language. And the rest is now history.

This photo taken today, is from the celebration of those who contributed to the compilation of the SB1080.

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