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H.R. 1183: Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2019

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H.R. 1183: Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2019

116th Congress · introduced 2019-02-13 · Armed Forces and National Security · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2019-02-13 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2019

Plain summary

Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2019 This bill expands access to acupuncturist services, particularly for veterans and seniors. Specifically, the bill requires the provision of qualified acupuncturist services for veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system and military members and their dependents under the TRICARE program. A qualified acupuncturist is an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise accredited to perform acupuncture services. The bill also entitles military members and their dependents to qualified acupuncturist services under the TRICARE program without a referral, even if such services are not medically or psychologically necessary to prevent, diagnose, or treat an issue. The VA must implement a program to provide acupuncturist services in at least one VA facility in each Veterans Integrated Service Network in both urban and rural areas. Such services must be available to veterans enrolled in the VA health care system without the requirement of a referral. The VA must also establish the Advisory Committee on Acupuncturist Services to assist with the implementation of the VA acupuncturist program. The VA must pay acupuncturists equivalently with how it pays physicians. The bill provides for coverage for qualified acupuncturist services under the Medicare program and prescribes benefit amounts and payment rules depending on the circumstances of the service. The bill also makes acupuncturists eligible for appointment as (1) commissioned officers in the Armed Forces, and (2) officers in the commissioned Regular Corps and the Ready Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2019

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27] · 4 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Robin L. Kelly (D-IL), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), Chellie Pingree (D-ME)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27] reported raising $1.4 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-hr1183 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116