UPFRONT | Columnist BUSINESS TALK How acupuncture was saved I The amazing story everyone should hear BY DR. ANTHONY LOMBARDI, DC exactly? It seems like this Bill literally that TCMO will be fully consulted on any other changes being contemplated, came out of nowhere. Kenny: Yes it did. You can imagine how we remain vigilant. shocked the profession was when ad-vised by email from the CTCMPAO 3. This recent media frenzy has that they had been advised by the brought more awareness to the Ministry of Health that the CTCM-TCM profession. How do you think PAO was to begin the process of wind-this could benefit the profession ing up operations and that the profes-within the complimentary health sion would be de-regulated. That day arena? was Monday, February 28th, and Bill Kenny: Actually, this highlights the 88 and Schedule 5 had passed first need for cross-professional support, reading in the Legislature. A group of cooperation and education. Through representing professionals, schools and greater understanding and more in-students came together swiftly and, depth knowledge of the scope of pro-within hours, we had mobilized our fessionals and application of modali-1. To give readers some background, government relations firm, initiated a ties, all RHP’s can offer benefits and who is the TCMO? What is their letter writing campaign, an online pe-achieve better healthcare outcomes for tition, and organized a press confer-their patients. And, truly, isn’t that role? And, who can be members? Kenny: Traditional Chinese Medicine ence, fundraising and media outreach. what all healthcare professionals want: Ontario is an association representing Within only three short days, the peti-Better healthcare for their patients. TCM-trained professionals in Ontario. tion had garnered an astounding This also throws into sharp focus that Our members are Registered Acupunc-66,000 signatures. MPP’s offices re-the government must always seek to turists (R.Ac.’s) and Registered Tradi-ceived hundreds of letters from the fully consult with all stakeholders on tional Chinese Medicine Practitioners public on the issue, fundraising topped an issue in order to gain the knowledge (R.TCMP’s) practicing in Ontario and $10,000, and the story was being cov-and understanding of the possible im-students in related programs in On-ered by multiple media outlets across plications of decisions that are being tario schools. We advocate on behalf of Canada. By Friday of that week, the made. our membership to government and to Government committed to the regulatory College, the College of complete removal of the Be cooperative 4. What can TCM practi-with other tioners, chiropractors, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practi-Schedule deregulating TCM tioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario from the legislative Bill. Over professions, naturopathic doctors do because (CTCMPAO), we represent the views the course of the next few now -so that this attempt of of the membership to government and days, it continued to become change is on de-regulating the TCM pro-other healthcare bodies (extended clear that the Government the way for fession never happens again? health insurers) and to the public. We did not consult the CTCM-RHP’s in offer a suite of benefits to our members PAO, Associations, Schools, Ontario and Kenny: Every single practi-including professional liability insur-members of the profession, together we tioner reading this article sim-ance discounts, access to extended or members of the public can be suc-ply MUST join their respective professional association; it is health and dental policies, educational prior to introducing the de-cessful. not enough to be a member of opportunities/discounts, advertising regulation legislation. While the profession has garnered your regulatory College. And, once you and networking within the community. 2. In the government’s recent attempt commitment from government that are a member of your association, vol-at de-regulation, what happened deregulation is now “off the table” and unteer your time to the benefit of your profession, become a leader, offer your ANTHONY LOMBARDI, DC, is a private consultant to athletes in the NFL, CFL and NHL, and founder of the time for marketing, for public outreach, Hamilton Back Clinic, a multidisciplinary clinic. He teaches his fundamental EXSTORE Assessment System for government relations, get involved! n early February 2022, the provin-cial government introduced bill 88 which would de-regulate Acu-puncture in Ontario. The bill 88 would ensure the practice of acu-puncture would become public do-main and anyone would be able to do it without a license. To fully comprehend and understand what exactly took place I interviewed Heather Kenny (R.Ac), a registered acupuncturist practicing in Peterbor-ough and Oshawa, Ontario. She is the President of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Ontario Association. and practice building workshops to various health professionals. exstore.ca. 14 Chiropractic and Naturopathic Doctor September/October 2022 www.Cndoctor.ca
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