Acupuncture enforcement committee reviews draft consumer guide; stakeholders urge clearer, modernized public materials

The California Acupuncture Board Enforcement Committee on a stakeholder session reviewed a working draft of a consumer brochure intended to explain what licensed acupuncturists may do and how patients can seek recourse from violations.

Committee Chair Ruben Osorio opened the session and staff presented a draft “consumer’s guide to acupuncture” described as a working draft bearing a “DRAFT” watermark. Staff said the document had been edited to “keep the text that is appropriate to the role and function of the board” and to emphasize consumer rights and remedies under the Acupuncture Act.

Stakeholders and board members provided detailed feedback. Dr. Yongping Chen, President of the board, said the brochure “will be very helpful for the purpose of public protection.” Neil Miller, representing the California Acupuncture Traditional Medical Association, urged more technical accuracy and objected to some deletions from older brochures: “I would like to know at whose direction and what is the logic there,” he said, asking for additional committee review rather than immediate approval. Marilyn Allen of…