Date: 04/30/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1360

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 15-1360 to the Committee of the WPASS



02:19 PM -- HB 15-1360

Senator Lundberg presented House Bill 15-1360, concerning acupuncturist practice of injection therapy. The bill allows licensed acupuncturists to practice injection therapy, which is the injection of sterile herbs, vitamins, minerals, homeopathic substances, or other similar substances into acupuncture points using a hypodermic needle. To practice injection therapy, an acupuncturist must complete the required training as specified by the director of the Division of Professions and Occupations in the Department of Regulatory Agencies. In addition, the bill permits acupuncturists to obtain substances for injection therapy from a registered prescription drug outlet, registered manufacturer, or registered wholesaler.

02:20 PM -- Scott Richardson, Acupuncture Association of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill. He told the committee about the injection therapy used by acupuncturists. Mr. Richardson responded to questions about the types of substances injected by acupuncturists.


02:25 PM -- Larry Sarner, Colorado Citizens for Science in Medicine, spoke against the bill. He spoke about the regulation of acupuncturists and his opinion that the question of allowing acupuncturist to practice injection therapy should be discussed during the sunset process. He spoke about other states that allow or prohibit this procedure. Mr. Sarner provided a handout to the committee (Attachment B) regarding the current state policy on the use of injection therapy by acupuncturists.

150430 AttachB.pdf150430 AttachB.pdf

02:31 PM -- Linda Rosa, Institute for Science and Medicine, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated that the types of Chinese herbs used in injection therapy include a variety of substances including minerals and human body parts. She provided three handouts to the committee (Attachments C, D, and E) supporting her position on the issue.

150430 AttachC.pdf150430 AttachC.pdf150430 AttachD.pdf150430 AttachD.pdf150430 AttachE.pdf150430 AttachE.pdf

02:37 PM -- Valerie Hobbs, Acupuncture Association of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill. She spoke about her experience teaching acupuncture and provided several letters to the committee from patients who have benefited from acupuncture (Attachment F). Ms. Hobbs responded to questions from the committee about whether she provides informed consent to patients and whether she tells the patients about the possible effects of the procedure she performs.

150430 AttachF.pdf150430 AttachF.pdf


02:47 PM

Senator Lundberg made closing comments. Committee discussion followed concerning injection therapy.

BILL:HB15-1360
TIME: 02:51:46 PM
MOVED:Lundberg
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1360 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 4-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Aguilar
No
Martinez Humenik
Yes
Newell
Yes
Crowder
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS