On May 14, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom proposed cutting acupuncture benefits from Medi-Cal, the state’s low-income health insurance program, in his May budget revision.
Upon learning the news that same day, Yang Lin, President of the California Acupuncture Alliance, immediately sprang into action. She contacted legislators including Alex Lee (李天明) and Patrick Ahrens, as well as California State Treasurer Fiona Ma (马世云), seeking their assistance in preserving acupuncture benefits in Medi-Cal. She also wrote letters to relevant committees and the Asian Pacific Islander (API) Legislative Caucus opposing the cuts. Simultaneously, she coordinated with organizations such as Northeast Hospital to unite forces across the acupuncture community to fight for these benefits.
On May 20, the API Legislative Caucus issued a joint statement opposing the reduction of acupuncture benefits. They highlighted acupuncture’s advantages in pain management, chronic disease treatment, and its potential to reduce overall healthcare costs.
President Yang Lin chaired a California Acupuncture Alliance meeting on May 20 to discuss action plans. Honorary President Xue Chulong and interim Alliance Secretary Liao Junjie attended the meeting.
On Tuesday, May 27, President Yang Lin represented the California Acupuncture Alliance at a press conference, calling on legislators and government officials to preserve acupuncture benefits.
On Thursday, May 29, at 8:30 AM, organizations including Northeast Hospital and the California Acupuncture Alliance hold a rally at the State Capitol to protest the cuts to acupuncture benefits in Medi-Cal. They urge acupuncturists, especially those in the Sacramento area, as well as students, faculty, and staff from schools to actively participate in action. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Let us stand together to protect acupuncture benefits in Medi-Cal!
2025年5月14日，加州州长纽森在五月预算修正版中提议削减低收入保险MediCal中的针灸福利。
加州针灸联盟主席杨琳当天得知这一消息后，立即开始行动，包括联络李天明Alex Lee, Patrick Ahrens 等议员和加州财长马世云（Fiona Ma), 请他们帮忙保留MediCal里的针灸福利。 并写信给相关委员会，亚太立法小组，反对删减针灸福利。同时与东北医院等单位联系，团结针灸界的各方力量，力保这一针灸福利。
5/20日亚太立法小组发表共同声明，反对削减针灸福利，指出针灸在镇痛和慢性疾病治疗等方面的优势，以及可以减少总体保健费用。
杨琳主席主持了加州针灸联盟5/20日会议，研究讨论行动方案。薛初龙荣誉会长和联盟临时秘书廖浚杰参加了会议。
下周二5/27日，杨琳主席将代表加州针灸联盟参加记者招待会，呼吁议员们和政府官员们保留针灸福利。
下周四5/29日早上8:30，东北医院和加州针灸联盟等组织在州府议会大厦举行集会，抗议削减MediCal里的针灸福利，针灸师们，尤其是州府地区的针灸师们，学校的师生们积极参加，非常感谢大家的支持！
让我们团结起来，一起维护MediCal的针灸福利！
The followings are records and details of the rally on May, 29th:
Today’s rally at the State Capitol saw strong participation from healthcare professionals and community members defending acupuncture access in Medi-Cal. Notable attendees included doctors Hu Hongji, Xia Jingjiao, Liang Aihua, student representatives Zhang Caihong and Chen Hongli from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences, and Ivi Chen from California University Silicon Valley.
In a deeply moving demonstration of support, Dr. Xia brought her elderly parents to join the rally. Northeast Medical Center played a crucial role by mobilizing over 40 senior Medi-Cal beneficiaries who learned of the event just last night. Upon hearing it was to protect their acupuncture benefits, these seniors enthusiastically signed up to advocate for their healthcare rights – an inspiring display of community engagement.
Special recognition goes to President Yang Lin, all participating practitioners, and legislative supporters including Assembly members Mike Fong and Alex Lee from the API Legislative Caucus, along with San Francisco Senator Scott Wiener.
“It was remarkable to achieve such a turnout and impact despite the short notice,” stated rally organizers. “This powerful coalition demonstrates our community’s determination to preserve essential healthcare options for vulnerable Californians.”
以下是5/29当日集会活动细节：
参加今天集会的医生是胡洪济，夏晶胶，梁爱华，美洲中国文化医药大学学生张彩虹，陈鸿莉, 加州大学硅谷大学Ivi 陈。夏医生带来了年迈的双亲来参加集会，令人非常感动。而且东北医疗中心的功劳很大，发动了40多位用白卡的老人家，这些老人家昨晚才听说有这个活动，听说是为了保护针灸福利，纷纷踊跃报名参加，为自身的利益发声，值得我们学习。同时我们十分感谢杨琳主席和各位参加活动的医师还有到场支持的亚太立法小组的众议员Mike Fong, Alex Lee, 旧金山的参议员Scott Weiner！ 在那么短的时间内能达到这个效果非常棒！
