New York legislators are considering two identical bills, Assembly Bill 8256 (AB8256) and Senate Bill 5867 (SB5867), which require physicians, when appropriate, to refer or prescribe non-opioid treatment alternatives for neuromusculoskeletal conditions. The bills state massage therapy as one of several alternative treatments that effectively treat pain conditions. Additionally, the bills require physicians to notify patients that insurance may not cover alternative treatments.

As one of the only massage therapy practices that is authorized to accept health insurance in New York City, CityTouch Licensed Massage Therapy supports these bills as they acknowledge that massage therapy is a safe and nonharmful solution for short-term and long-term pain ailments. The bills also elevate the legitimacy of massage as a valid health treatment option.

Take Action:

AB8256 appears to be the bill that will move forward in the legislature. It is currently on the floor of the Assembly for a vote. SB5867 is currently with the Senate Committee on Health.

If you would like to take action and indicate your support of the bills, we recommend you contact the following senators and assembly members sponsoring and considering the bills.

Senators:

Gustavo Rivera: grivera@nysenate.gov

Pete Harckham: harckham@nysenate.gov

Patrick Gallivan: gallivan@nysenate.gov

Assembly Members:

Richard Gottfried: gottfriedr@nyassembly.gov

Judy Griffin: griffinj@nyassembly.gov

Andrew Raia: raiaa@nyassembly.gov

In addition, we urge you to contact your assembly member and senator:

Find your Senator here.

Find your Assembly Member here.