WHY DOES KANSAS NEED THIS LEGISLATION?
The situation in Kansas for acupuncturists and their patients is currently precarious. There is
no licensing, registration or certification. This is dangerous for the public as well as a hindrance
to nationally-certified highly-qualified practitioners who cannot differentiate themselves
from those with a “weekend certification” or less.
Kansas is one of only six states remaining without acupuncture and Oriental medicine (OM)
licensing, making it a potential haven for acupuncturists unwilling or unable to qualify for licensing
in other states.
Patients rights to access this complementary healthcare option are currently in danger, because
acupuncturists have no legal rights to independent practice in Kansas.
WHAT WILL PASSAGE OF THIS LEGISLATION ACCOMPLISH?
- Protect the public from unsafe or ineffective practices by unqualified practitioners.
- Grant the public freedom to access safe, qualified specialists in acupuncture and Oriental medicine in Kansas by allowing independent practice.
- Allow Kansas patients the same level of care, standards of quality and training, effectiveness, and safety of acupuncture and Oriental medicine treatment as the rest of the nation, for the good of Kansas patients and the profession.
- Economic growth for Kansas from the independent practices of acupuncture and OM practitioners and improved access to economical complementary healthcare.
ADVANTAGES TO KANSANS:
The benefits to Kansas of a more complete holistic health care environment including:
- Protection for the public from unsafe or untrained practitioners.
- Freedom for citizens to be able to access acupuncture and Oriental medicine care directly.
- Economic growth for Kansas through job creation by acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners.
- Lower health care costs for the public, more access to preventive care.
- Additional revenue from income taxes, sales taxes, and licensing fees, that will be over and above the cost of administration of this act.
