[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16743]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 ACUPUNCTURE FOR HEROES AND SENIORS ACT

  (Ms. JUDY CHU of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, acupuncture is one of the 
oldest medical treatments in the world. Here in the U.S., the demand 
for acupuncture has grown significantly in recent years.
  In fact, about 4 in 10 American adults use alternative medicines. 
When other treatments may not help, acupuncture can treat chronic pain, 
mental health issues, substance abuse, and many other illnesses.
  I will never forget hearing the testimony of a woman who had severe 
back pain, but did not want invasive surgery, as suggested by her 
doctor, and possible addiction to morphine. Instead, she sought 
acupuncture, and it worked for her.
  Indeed, the National Institutes of Health indicates that, for some 
medical issues, acupuncture can provide the needed relief. It is my 
goal to make this treatment available to all Americans, including 
seniors, our brave servicemembers, and respected veterans.
  Today I am introducing a bill to do just that. This bill, the 
Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act, will expand access to 
acupuncture services to these communities because they deserve to have 
all the tools at their disposal to live long and healthy lives.

                          ____________________