Bill Text: HI SR118 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Resolution 118 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Requesting That The United States Congress Support The Passage Of H.r. 4803, The Acupuncture For Our Seniors Act Of 2021, Which Would Amend Title Xviii Of The Social Security Act Provide Coverage For Acupuncturist Services Under The Medicare Program.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-03-23 - The committee on HTH deferred the measure. [SR118 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-SR118-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	118
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING that THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS support the passage of H.R. 4803, the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act of 2021, which would AMEND TITLE XVIII OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR ACUPUNCTURIST SERVICES UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM.

WHEREAS, there is an acute need to address pain and addiction issues with complementary and integrative services, including acupuncture; and

WHEREAS, extensive studies on acupuncture published by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health show that acupuncture is a viable treatment option for those suffering from musculoskeletal conditions, chronic pain, and addiction issues; and

WHEREAS, these studies have also shown that acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by an experienced, well-trained practitioner using sterile needles; and

WHEREAS, having acupuncture performed by a well-trained practitioner is as important to public health and safety as having healthcare services performed by a healthcare professional having an extensive educational and clinical training history; and

WHEREAS, reflecting the scientific consensus that acupuncture is a safe practice when performed by an experienced, well-trained practitioner using sterile needles, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a national coverage determination in January 2020 to have Medicare cover acupuncture services for Medicare benefit recipients experiencing chronic lower back pain; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the United States Congress is requested to support H.R. 4803, the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act of 2021, which would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for acupuncturist services under the Medicare program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.