The insurance lobby dislikes a "public option" for fear it would drive them out of business. Folks, we have a morally reprehensible health care system in this country: one in which middlemen profit hugely on the suffering and disease of others. Insurance companies are responsible to their shareholders, and they are in the business of making money - not delivering healthcare. Period.
I had a patient tell me today he spent $9000 on insurance premiums last year for his family. Without even using his insurance, he spent an additional $9000 out of pocket . This is because he has a high deductable policy so he can afford to have insurance. This is insane.
I say let them go out of business.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Daring to Cross the Great Ben White Divide
We relocated to the Ben White access road - on the South side - as of July, 2009. This was a bold move, no doubt. We did this because our lease was up, and our landlord on South Lamar proved to be an absolute nightmare (and still is some three months after leaving). We decided the price of being in a increasingly "hip" part of town simply wasn't worth it. Besides, 99% of our customers drove their cars to get to us anyway.
We never wanted to land in a commercial strip center. But after three years of dealing with one ridiculous situation after another on South Lamar, we were willing to explore the possibilities.
What we found is: a space that is significantly larger for less money; a totally likable landlord that treats us like human beings; a lease that is joyfully straightforward; and a management company that was willing to do all of the make ready to our space to our liking. The space is quieter, and we have a great view of the sky and the green edge of South Austin out our front windows. We have found beauty in the unlikeliest of places.
We never wanted to land in a commercial strip center. But after three years of dealing with one ridiculous situation after another on South Lamar, we were willing to explore the possibilities.
What we found is: a space that is significantly larger for less money; a totally likable landlord that treats us like human beings; a lease that is joyfully straightforward; and a management company that was willing to do all of the make ready to our space to our liking. The space is quieter, and we have a great view of the sky and the green edge of South Austin out our front windows. We have found beauty in the unlikeliest of places.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Grand Opening Party/AAOM Day October 24th
Join us Saturday, October 24th, 2009 as we celebrate Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day and the Grand Opening of our new location.
We'll have an open house and be giving FREE treatments from 10am - 4pm. Party to follow with music by Conjunto Los Pinkys.
More details to follow...
We'll have an open house and be giving FREE treatments from 10am - 4pm. Party to follow with music by Conjunto Los Pinkys.
More details to follow...
Saturday, September 26, 2009
$15-$40 sliding scale is back
When we started South Austin Community Acupuncture in 2006 our sliding scale was $15-$40. Somewhere along the way we bumped the low end up to $20. We had our reasons at the time...
Recently, we've been re-examining this. More and more unemployed people are showing up at the clinic. People are coming every few weeks instead of weekly. People are finding it challenging to pay for acupuncture and get herbs. Many Austin acupuncturists are reporting overall patient volume is down... These are challenging times economically - even here in Austin.
We've also been re-examining the whole notion of entrepreneurship as a social endeavor and what that is all about. And what that is all about is, in addition to being in business with the intention of turning a profit, the social entrepreneur seeks to provide a solution to a social problem. What is the problem as we see it?
The problem as we see it is that acupuncture can be - to some degree or another - beneficial in treating just about anything, even if it does not provide a cure. And yet, the vast majority of the population know nothing about it or haven't tried it. The other part of the problem is that acupuncture is priced such that most people can't afford to use it even if they wanted to.
As community acupuncturists, we have very deliberately adopted a very localized and socially oriented business model - one which affords us a modest income doing very satisfying work, and one which makes acupuncture affordable and accessible to many more people.
It is in that spirit that we are moving the low end of our sliding scale back down to $15. The bottom line is we are doing this because we want you to be able to get acupuncture as often or for as long as needed to get better and stay better.
Recently, we've been re-examining this. More and more unemployed people are showing up at the clinic. People are coming every few weeks instead of weekly. People are finding it challenging to pay for acupuncture and get herbs. Many Austin acupuncturists are reporting overall patient volume is down... These are challenging times economically - even here in Austin.
We've also been re-examining the whole notion of entrepreneurship as a social endeavor and what that is all about. And what that is all about is, in addition to being in business with the intention of turning a profit, the social entrepreneur seeks to provide a solution to a social problem. What is the problem as we see it?
The problem as we see it is that acupuncture can be - to some degree or another - beneficial in treating just about anything, even if it does not provide a cure. And yet, the vast majority of the population know nothing about it or haven't tried it. The other part of the problem is that acupuncture is priced such that most people can't afford to use it even if they wanted to.
As community acupuncturists, we have very deliberately adopted a very localized and socially oriented business model - one which affords us a modest income doing very satisfying work, and one which makes acupuncture affordable and accessible to many more people.
It is in that spirit that we are moving the low end of our sliding scale back down to $15. The bottom line is we are doing this because we want you to be able to get acupuncture as often or for as long as needed to get better and stay better.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, July 21, 2008
Support the Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Recently, I had the honor of being named to the board of the Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (TAAOM). The TAAOM promotes and assists in the establishment of legislation that supports the profession of acupuncture and oriental medicine in Texas.
Acupuncture is still very new in the USA, and the range and disparity of practice laws from state to state reflects this.
In Texas currently, acupuncturists legally are only allowed to treat smoking cessation, substance abuse, weight loss, and chronic pain without the patient first having been seen by a physician or dentist within a year for the condition being treated, or referred by a chiropractor within the last 30 days. This is a burdensome and unrealistic practice law. It simply does not accurately represent the range of ailments acupuncture and oriental medicine can treat effectively and safely, or how people use acupuncture in their day to day lives.
The Texas Legislature will convene for the 81st Regular Session on January 13, 2009. The TAAOM is prepared to introduce legislation at this time that will significantly broaden the scope of practice for acupuncturists and more realistically reflect the work that we do.
All of this costs money.
If you are an acupuncturist or an acupuncture student in Texas, and not a member of the TAAOM, you need to join. It is probably the most important professional organization for you to be a part of because the work it does, while not glamorous, has everything to do with how we are allowed to practice in Texas. There is no one else watching out for us, and frankly membership levels are anemic.
If you are not an acupuncturist, but are a supporter of this beautiful system of medicine and want to see it thrive in Texas, please make a donation. Every little bit helps.
http://www.taaom.org/index.html
Acupuncture is still very new in the USA, and the range and disparity of practice laws from state to state reflects this.
In Texas currently, acupuncturists legally are only allowed to treat smoking cessation, substance abuse, weight loss, and chronic pain without the patient first having been seen by a physician or dentist within a year for the condition being treated, or referred by a chiropractor within the last 30 days. This is a burdensome and unrealistic practice law. It simply does not accurately represent the range of ailments acupuncture and oriental medicine can treat effectively and safely, or how people use acupuncture in their day to day lives.
The Texas Legislature will convene for the 81st Regular Session on January 13, 2009. The TAAOM is prepared to introduce legislation at this time that will significantly broaden the scope of practice for acupuncturists and more realistically reflect the work that we do.
All of this costs money.
If you are an acupuncturist or an acupuncture student in Texas, and not a member of the TAAOM, you need to join. It is probably the most important professional organization for you to be a part of because the work it does, while not glamorous, has everything to do with how we are allowed to practice in Texas. There is no one else watching out for us, and frankly membership levels are anemic.
If you are not an acupuncturist, but are a supporter of this beautiful system of medicine and want to see it thrive in Texas, please make a donation. Every little bit helps.
http://www.taaom.org/index.html
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