CURRENT LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS
Dry-Needling House Bill HB-505
In February, the Idaho Physical Therapy Association and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) presented to the
Idaho House of Health and Welfare to expand their scope of practice to include dry needling. The bill HB-505 was passed by both the House and Senate, then promptly signed into law by Governor Otter.
In May, both the Acupuncture Board and the Idaho Acupuncture Association (IAA) wrote letters outlining suggested requirements for the Physical Therapy law. Some suggestions included, the number of continuing education hours specific to dry needling, the distinct exclusion of auricular and distal needling, and additional training in emergency/safety procedures and clean needle technique.
The Physical Therapy Association will be presenting their proposed rules to the House at the beginning of the next legislative session.
Here is what we need you to do:
1) Join the IAA!
There is POWER in NUMBERS! One of the main reasons the Physical Therapy Association was able to quickly slip this law through the legislature is because Idaho Acupuncturists are not connected through a strong State Association.
2) Educate your patients!
Now that HB-505 has passed, dry needling is here to stay. We need to explain the differences between dry needling and acupuncture to the Idaho public. We put together an email template you can use to inform your patients.