February 2008, Sacramento, CA: The California Acupuncture Bill, AB54, passed in the California State Assembly. According to the California State Assembly analysis of the bill, AB54 "requires every health plan contract and health insurance policy sold on a group basis that provides coverage for hospital, medical, or surgical expenses to provide coverage for expenses incurred as a result of treatment by acupuncturists." Democratic Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally of Los Angeles authored the bill and it passed 46 to 27. This California acupuncture program also has strong support from San Francisco Assemblywoman Fiona Ma. AB54 must make its way through the Senate before the summer recess for this acupuncture insurance coverage bill to have a chance to become law.
