Welcome to the AAAOM Political Action Fund Storefront!

Welcome to the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Political Action Fund (AOMPAF) storefront. AAAOM developed the AOMPAF to create an auxiliary source of funding for a range of activities that support continued herbal access and to confront the various scope of practice issues that impact our profession.

Your contributions can be made by credit card or by personal check. If making a contribution by check, please make the check payable to: AOMPAF, PO Box 162340, Sacramento, CA 95816

Every dollar you invest in this effort will directly support the following efforts:

Federal Lobbyist: The cornerstone of our national legislative agenda was the hiring of a top notch D.C. lobbyist who regularly work with federal legislators and regulators to strategically advance AOM political interests and opportunities, including:

National Goals:

Achieve third party reimbursement for acupuncturists by passing into law the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act (HR 646) – thereby providing acupuncturists with the option to choose to participate in Medicare and Federal Employee Health Programs. Also to include AOM in new federal healthcare plans, Veteran Administration programs, detox and loan forgiveness programs.

Seek public and private funding to create and maintain an Herbal Safety Database: Once in place the database will document the safety of our herbal materia medica, thereby protecting it against unwarranted actions by the FDA and promoting an eventual third category for Chinese herbs.

State Activities: Lobbying for licensure in remaining states without licensed AOM statutes. Expand and strengthen AOM scopes of practice in all states. Track and vigorously defend against all anti-AOM bills.

International Goals: Continue to send an AAAOM representative to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) to support research efforts to make AOM more mainstream in the U.S.

Additional Activities: Expand and promote research opportunities that substantiate the efficacy of AOM. Increase and promote public awareness, outreach, and access to AOM via awareness day activities (state and national), town hall meetings, webinars, etc. Identify and create job generating opportunities for our profession.

This storefront allows you to make a monthly, quarterly, yearly and single contribution in any amount. If you choose to submit your contribution by check, select the Postal Order Form method of payment during checkout, and make the check payable to AOMPAF. Also, verify that you are choosing your donation to be directed to General Legislative Activities, Herbal, or Medicare. A General donation will be used for all national lobby activities, the Herbal to maintain and further herbal access, and Medicare to specifically cover activities that support acupuncture in Medicare.

“A TIME TO BUILD UP: One of the issues that has become clear to me in my year as president of the AAAOM is that we must raise the financial resources to fund AOM in US Healthcare Reform.  I have had conversations with those who believe grass roots efforts will see our agenda through to fruition. This simply will not get the job done as we move forward and mature as a profession in the U.S. In the past, grass roots efforts have indeed worked, as we were often the underdog who needed to get the word out about our amazing medicine. However, as we “grow up” we lose the goodwill that is afforded to newcomers on the political scene. We must stand up and fund ourselves in the political arena because no one else but ourselves should or will do this. The power of your contribution – large or small – is an investment you can’t afford NOT to make. Thank you sincerely for taking this important step.”

                                                            Deborah Lincoln RN, MSN, RAc, NCCAOM
                                                President, AAAOM