Health Care Bill To Include Alternative Therapies?
Jul 24th, 2009 | By admin | Category: Acupuncture, Alternative Medicine, FeaturedSupporters of alternative therapies such as acupuncture and massage therapy may be about to get a boost from the United State government.That’s if a number of senators, including Iowa’s Tom Harkin, have anything to say about it.
“It’s time to end the discrimination against alternative healthcare practices,’’ Harkin said at a congressional hearing.
Harkin is the cosponsor of an amendment that says healthcare plans will not be allowed to “discriminate’’ against any healthcare provider who has a license issued by a state, an amendment Senate aides said was designed to provide coverage for alternative medicine. Backers of the amendment say it could save tens of billions of dollars in the long run by providing less expensive and better alternatives to drugs and surgery in a variety of cases. The amendment was adopted by a Senate committee writing health legislation, but details are still being negotiated.
Currently there are wide disparities state by state on what alternative medicine disciplines are covered by insurance (and to what degree), or even on which disciplines get licensed. For example, 45 states now license acupuncturists, while only 15 license naturopathic physicians.
Will the amendment ever pass, even with its current bipartisan backing? Who can even say whether the health bill itself will eventually pass in a format that will actually help consumers instead of just maintaining the status quo (and I wouldn’t put too much money on the former).
Still, it is heartening that it is even being brought to the table, and supporters of alternative therapies have got to be thrilled that it’s a part of the current health-y dialogue going on in Washington.
Popularity: 3% [?]
