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Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2019

Introduced: February 13, 2019 Introduced by: Chu, Judy Democratic · California See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 1, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Feb 14, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Feb 14, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Feb 13, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Feb 13, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 13, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2019

This bill expands access to acupuncturist services, particularly for veterans and seniors.

Specifically, the bill requires the provision of qualified acupuncturist services for veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system and military members and their dependents under the TRICARE program. A qualified acupuncturist is an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise accredited to perform acupuncture services.

The bill also entitles military members and their dependents to qualified acupuncturist services under the TRICARE program without a referral, even if such services are not medically or psychologically necessary to prevent, diagnose, or treat an issue.

The VA must implement a program to provide acupuncturist services in at least one VA facility in each Veterans Integrated Service Network in both urban and rural areas. Such services must be available to veterans enrolled in the VA health care system without the requirement of a referral. The VA must also establish the Advisory Committee on Acupuncturist Services to assist with the implementation of the VA acupuncturist program.

The VA must pay acupuncturists equivalently with how it pays physicians.

The bill provides for coverage for qualified acupuncturist services under the Medicare program and prescribes benefit amounts and payment rules depending on the circumstances of the service.

The bill also makes acupuncturists eligible for appointment as (1) commissioned officers in the Armed Forces, and (2) officers in the commissioned Regular Corps and the Ready Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service.

What's happening now March 1, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 8
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 4
D
Pingree, Chellie
Maine · May 7, 2019
 D
Clarke, Yvette D.
New York · Apr 2, 2019
 D
Meng, Grace
New York · Apr 2, 2019
 D
Kelly, Robin L.
Illinois · Mar 28, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1183: Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1183/
MLA
"H.R. 1183: Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1183/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1183, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1183/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1183: Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1183/)
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