ACUPUNCTURE-5-NEEDLE PROTOCOL
By permitting unlicensed persons to apply the 5-needle protocol, HB4487 intends to enhance the availability of acupuncture treatments for patients potentially seeking alternatives for managing behavioral health issues. This move could alleviate the constraints faced by patients who may not be able to access licensed acupuncture services due to cost or availability. However, the bill specifies stringent criteria that must be met by practitioners, including appropriate training and the use of sterile, single-use needles, which reflects an effort to maintain safety and quality standards even in expanded access.
House Bill 4487 aims to amend the Acupuncture Practice Act in Illinois to create an exemption for individuals engaging in a standardized 5-needle acupuncture protocol. The bill specifies that unlicensed individuals may practice this specific protocol under certain conditions. This is particularly significant as it expands access to acupuncture treatments that are intended to provide relief for behavioral health conditions, allowing practitioners without formal acupuncture licenses to perform these specific services.
Notably, the bill introduces a point of contention within the broader acupuncture community, particularly regarding the implications for unlicensed practices. Critics may argue that allowing unlicensed persons to perform acupuncture, even with limitations, could undermine the established standards of care and potentially risk patient safety. The distinction made in the bill that only ear acupuncture using a 5-needle protocol is allowed emphasizes the targeted nature of the exemption, but it raises questions about the efficacy and risks associated with such practices outside the regulation of licensed professionals.