Advocacy and Representation Current ATCMA Issues

Advocacy and Representation Current ATCMA Issues

What are some examples of the issues are we working on right now?

In addition to providing you resources, answering your practice questions, delivering educational courses, and getting you discounts and deals on services and products, we have an ongoing (and sometimes growing) list of big projects that we’re working on.

• TCM Regulations updates 

ATCMA has been in communication with the provincial government and with regulators to discuss our Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists Regulations document (https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/290_2008). After our concerted efforts and stakeholders’ feedback to have the following key issues addressed in the government’s proposed changes, our regulations document is currently reverted back to the original one. It will need to be updated and revised prior to the start of the HPOA, so the ATCMA is continuing our efforts.

There are 4 key issues to address:

1. Pinyin should be reinstated.
2. Our ability to prescribe Chinese herbs and herbal formulas as part of our Restricted Activities.
3. Ensure that the definitions of our titles are clearly stated and differentiated (this has now been updated in our TCM bylaws).
4. Scope of Practice updates, including Point Injection Therapy and high-velocity joint mobilization: We have been meeting with MLAs, ProReg, and other TCM association leaders to discuss TCM regulations and scope of practice. We have been attending events with MLAs and the MOH to bring recognition of the ATCMA to the decision makers.

• Communication with CCHPBC About our Bylaws and Professional Standards

ATCMA meets regularly with our regulatory college, Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC), to discuss issues that affect licensees (previously called registrants). ATCMA has given feedback to the college regarding bylaw and practice standards changes. These are just some of the concerns we've expressed:

• Increase in licensing fees.
• Increase in malpractice insurance requirements.
• Requirement to chart in English language (previously, registrants could pay for professional translation services if required to provide chart records).
• Requirements to meet English language proficiency for entry to practice (currently with no specifics about those requirements and while licensing examinations can be taken in Chinese language).
• Loss of non-practicing licensing (as of April 2027) but continued requirement of 600 hours of practice over 3 years for TCM professionals, while naturopaths and chiropractors continue to have zero practice hours required.
• Removal of all continuing education requirements has received mixed feedback from our members. Some are happy to not have to take courses simply to meet licensing requirements. However, there are concerns that with no specific requirements, fewer people will take in-person courses that are key to safe, effective, and improved patient care, resulting in fewer courses being offered in BC.

• Changes in Health Canada’s Upcoming Fee Changes for TCM Herbs

ATCMA has been communicating with government and stakeholders about the upcoming fee changes Health Canada is placing on Natural Health Products (NHPs), including any processed Chinese herbs (raw herbs are exempt) like concentrated herbal powders and herbal tablets, capsules, pellets, patches, topicals, moxibustion products, and more.

Distributors and manufacturers have told us that these fees will likely lead to higher costs that will be passed down to us and our patients. Further, they are likely to result in a decrease in availability to the wide array of herbal and TCM products that we use, as companies will need to decide if carrying a particular herb or TCM product is financially viable or not.

 For more about that, click here: https://atcma.org/blog/health-canadas-proposed-regulatory-changes-and-their-impact-on-traditional-chinese-medicine-tcm

• Bill36, Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) (https://bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/bills/billsprevious/3rd42nd:gov36-3)

ATCMA is working with other healthcare associations to ask questions and identify possible items of concern. We are reviewing the HPOA and the CCHPBC Bylaws that are being updated in advance of the HPOA. These key documents determine things like how investigative procedures take place and how and what disciplinary actions are taken and shared publicly; which individuals are chosen to sit on the board and committees, and how each of our four professions are represented in those groups; what expanded duties we must uphold, including reporting and compliance; and the college fees we will need to pay.  

• MSP coverage for acupuncture services

Coverage for low income individuals who qualify for MSP supplementary benefits for healthcare services (currently $23 per treatment for up to 10 combined sessions with other healthcare services) has not been updated for 22 years! Obviously costs have increased significantly over that time, so ATCMA is working to get more coverage that will allow more low-income patients to get the treatments, including acupuncture, that they need. 

• Integrating TCM and Acupuncture to Strengthen BC’s System
  

As TCM professionals, we know that greater recognition and integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture within BC’s healthcare landscape would offer meaningful solutions to the province’s ongoing healthcare challenges. ATCMA continues to communicate to government that both TCM professionals and the public want greater choice and fewer barriers to accessing these services. This includes improving recognition of TCM practitioners as part of the broader healthcare community, supporting appropriate referrals, and ensuring policies do not unnecessarily limit access to care.

As the province faces staff shortages and an overburdened system, TCM provides safe, evidence-informed, and cost-effective approaches for managing chronic pain, stress-related conditions, digestive disorders, and many other common health concerns—issues that frequently place pressure on primary care providers. ATCMA is advocating for policies that better integrate TCM within the continuum of care, strengthen collaboration with other healthcare professionals, and support patient access to these services. Expanding recognition and reducing barriers can broaden treatment options, support preventative care, reduce reliance on pharmaceuticals, and ultimately improve patient outcomes while helping relieve pressure on the healthcare system.

• Collaboration with other health profession associations 

ATCMA belongs to the Coalition of Health Profession Associations which meets at least once per quarter to discuss areas of common concern.

For updates on some of our collaborative work, click here: https://atcma.org/blog/?category=Collaboration

• Discussions with ICBC

Our Executive Director meets with ICBC twice a month (or more frequently, as needed) to discuss issues of concern and upcoming changes to ICBC’s procedures and policies.

We also discuss specific issues with specific ICBC claims that our members are facing, and our relationship manager at ICBC investigates and helps resolve these issues. This is a benefit unique to ATCMA members.

We help practitioners review treatment plans that are rejected or only partially approved.

Our Executive Director is on the ICBC Healthcare Advisory Group. This group includes all healthcare professions that are funded by ICBC. We meet at least once per quarter to discuss issues of concern and upcoming changes at ICBC that will affect our members.

For news and updates on ICBC, click here: https://atcma.org/blog/?category=Icbc

• Student outreach 

Each year we visit several TCM and acupuncture schools in BC this year to talk about life after school and practice management resources, and to explain the difference between the CTCMA/regulators, and a professional association.