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Guam senators hear competing views on bills to let acupuncturists perform dry needling and to create ACOM assistants
Summary
A Senate committee heard extensive testimony May 6 on two related bills that would explicitly allow licensed acupuncture and oriental medicine practitioners to perform dry needling and some manual therapies, and would create a certified ACOM assistant role; public health officials and allied professionals urged clearer training, accreditation and enforcement standards before action.
The Guam Legislature’s Committee on Health and Veterans Affairs heard public testimony May 6 on two measures that would change how acupuncture and oriental medicine (ACOM) are regulated on the island. Bill 276‑38 would add “dry needling” and certain spinal/manual therapies to the explicit scope of practice for licensed ACOM practitioners; Bill 277‑38 would create a new certification and role for ACOM assistants.
Ranking Member Senator Tina Rose Munoz Barnes, who introduced both measures, said the bills are intended to “align Guam law with real world competencies while strengthening regulatory clarity” and to expand access to integrative care without compromising patient safety. “This bill does not introduce a new practice,” she said in closing remarks, adding that boards would retain authority to set standards.
Public health staff and clinicians pressed for details. Brianna Sablan, acting administrator for the Health Professional…
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