Accomplishments

• The inclusion of Acupuncture under the Medical Services Plan of British Columbia
  On behalf of the TCM profession, the QATCMA presented in May 2007 before the BC government on the benefits generated by the inclusion of Acupuncture treatment under the Supplementary Benefit Program of the BC Medical Service Plan. Since April 1st 2008, eligible patients can now receive a $23 compensation per visit paid by MSP, up to a combined annual limit of 10 treatment sessions per calendar year. These 10 sessions may include Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, and Chiropractics among other listed services.
• The Proclamation of the annual BC TCM Acupuncture Day
  In April 2009, anniversary time of the historical date of the inclusion of Acupuncture under the MSP in BC, the QATCMA approached several municipalities to recognize every year the third Sunday of April as the BC TCM Acupuncture Day in order to promote the value, benefits and recognition of Acupuncture and TCM. The Cities of Burnaby, Richmond, Vancouver, Surrey, North Vancouver and Victoria brought forth a formal official proclamation and announced the event abroad their respective communities.
• The Bill C-51 issue
  In May, 2008, the QATCMA initiated the TCM movement against the Bill C-51 and joined the national Coalition against it. After a month of intense work, on June 11, 2008, the Ministry of Health invited TCM professionals to participate in a historical meeting in order to amend it.
• Successful TCM Acupuncture Day related events
  In December, 2007 – the QATCMA and the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society jointly organized “Give the Gift of Love”. Participating Clinics were together able to give a $2,288 donation to the Food Bank Society.

In April, 2009 – the QATCMA and the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation jointly organized the 2009 Annual TCM Acupuncture Day to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital. Participating Clinics and practitioners from the QATCMA, Canadian Chinese TCM & Acupuncturist Society and Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of BC collected a total donation of $4,528.

• The Sichuan Earthquake Fundraising
  In May 2008, – the QATCMA assisted the Chinese Cultural Centre (CBA) to raise funds to help the Sichuan earthquake victims. We invited other TCM associations such as the Korean Oriental Medicine Acupuncturists Society of BC and the S.A.G. Medical Services Ltd., to join this operation which raised $2500. We also participated with providing free Clinic services and organizing other fundraising events on May 18th and 25th, 2008.
• The Taiwan Typhoon Morakot Fundraising
  August 2009 – The QATCMA initiated the fundraising event with Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) to help victims of Typhoon Morakot on August 19th and 20th, 2009. The event has fundraised total $8,791 after two days in Richmond with support from TCM doctors of different associations and Bema Botanical Solutions.
• World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS)
  May 2009 – QATCMA became an active member of the WFAS, when the proposal was passed and officially announced at the 6th WFAS Executive Committee. WFAS is an international non-governmental and independent professional organization that is affiliated to the World Health Organization.

Current Projects

• The GST/HST Exemption
  For years, QATCMA has been working relentlessly on having Acupuncture being exempted from GST(5%). Recently the provincial government announced that there would be a merge of GST and PST into HST(12%). If Acupuncture is not exempted from GST, it will be taxed with HST. This is a very important issue to be dealt with to protect our future.
• The recognition by both ICBC and WCB
  The QATCMA needs a strong membership and all the TCM practitioners’ support and active participation to achieve successful negotiation with both ICBC and WCB.
• World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS)
  In November 2009 - QATCMA‘s application for membership registration was submitted to WFCMS and the application is under process.