--- In acupuncture@yahoogroups.com, john howard <johnhoward71@...> wrote:
>No, John. I'm not drunk. Are you a simpleton? It's not about $15/tx. It's about
an office visit, an acupuncture tx, some herbs... bodywork. Obviously there has
to be reasonable compensation. Anyone interested in a constructive conversation?

I am not a big fan of the current trend in "working-class" acupuncture (I
applaud the sentiment...I have patients that I treat for free) as I feel that it
could work to erode the market rate eventually. As I understand it, the rates at
some of these clinics are very low; and I understand John's sentiment. If John
needs more $$ for what he does then he should charge it... if it's worth it,
people will always pay a specialist more.

Still, everyone should have access and that is the point of inclusion in a new
healthcare system. This "new" system does not appear overnight but in steps and
phases. Better to be at the table in the beginning.

My opinion is that integration is critical to the future of our profession. That
does not mean that everyone has to take that approach, but until a few more
hospitals , medical clinics, etc. incorporate acudocs into their staff and
services, TCM will be a marginal "alternative", "2nd rate at best" medical
system in the U.S. What better time to have some influence over a process that
could be a huge boon to the profession as a whole?

Also, think of the impact on health and wellness in this country if everyone
could have access to acupuncture, medicinal herbs and bodywork. The savings over
a generation would more than pay for our services. What if TCM docs became the
primary care providers in more than a couple or three states? The current
allopathic system is so flawed that most MD's are unable to provide any kind of
quality primary care and I think we would all agree that the TCM model is better
suited for this anyway.
Broader acceptance has to start somewhere. TCM has gotten this far as a result
of patient demand. To go further will require concerted political efforts. [If
you haven't noticed, while the MD's are more open than in the past, our real
challenge is big pharma and their minions in the FDA. They bash us with one hand
while co-opting our medicine with the other.]
As noted by the AAAOM recently, only about 5% of practitioners belong to a state
or national org.
{As I have only been in my current practice about 18 mos., I will join as soon
as I have the $$$... no kidding. Just need one more patient per week :) for
real... it's in my business plan. It's that important,}

Don't like the way your state or nat'l. org. functions (or doesn't)??
Join and change it.

Personally, I would rather use this time to read a journal or something. I abhor
politics, but now is the time to really influence the future of TCM in the U.S.


Note: The chiro's were in the same boat until they organized and ACTED!!
So, John, it's not about $15 treatments... it's much more complex.

Now I believe I'll go have a drink;)
cheers,
dr.w


> You must be drunk. Do you really want to get 15 per treatment?
> --- On Fri, 2/6/09, waldropeww <dr.w.w.waldrope@...> wrote:
> From: waldropeww <dr.w.w.waldrope@...>
> Subject: [acupuncture] New health care plan
> To: acupuncture@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Friday, February 6, 2009, 5:03 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Looking for folks to join in the promotion of coverage for TCM in
any new health plan
>
> developed by the obama administration. PM me if interested in developing the
proposal... I
>
> have a connection to the new gov't. so anything produced may actually get some
attention.
>
>
>
> regards,
>
>
>
> dr.w
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>