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[Reporter Wang Changmin / Taipei Report] April 17, 2012
The Department of Health has determined that Tui Na (Chinese therapeutic massage) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) trauma departments constitutes a medical practice. It requires massage practitioners without medical qualifications to withdraw completely from TCM clinics. As the two-year grace period is set to expire next month, rumors suggest the Department of Health may soften its stance and conditionally legalize these practitioners in their current locations. Yesterday, the Department of Health stated that the policy has not yet been finalized. A meeting will be held at the end of the month with consumer groups and traditional bone-setting and massage associations, with the new regulations expected to take effect as early as May.
TCM clinics commonly offer Tui Na services for trauma treatment. In the past, it was often reported that these services were not performed by licensed TCM doctors but by unlicensed massage therapists, constituting illegal medical practice. Under former Health Minister Yang Zhiliang, the Department of Health ordered all unlicensed massage practitioners to withdraw from TCM clinics, granting a two-year buffer period originally set to end this May. Recently, however, massage practitioners' self-help groups have frequently petitioned and protested, enlisting legislators to advocate for them. Although Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta stated yesterday during a legislative hearing that "the policy requiring traditional bone-setting and massage practitioners to exit TCM clinics remains unchanged," the Department of Health's stance has clearly shifted.
Huang Linhuang, Director of the Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy under the Department of Health, emphasized that the agency must not adopt a policy of "legalizing practitioners in place." At the very least, it should maintain its consistent position of requiring massage practitioners to operate independently at separate addresses. Otherwise, he questioned, "How can the government justify this to those who previously complied and withdrew?"
Legislators such as Xu Shaoping argued that the Department of Health should not allow non-medical personnel to provide non-medical, fee-based services in healthcare institutions covered by national health insurance. Legislator Wu Yuren warned that if this precedent is set, anyone could offer paid specialty services in hospital corners in the future. Legislator Chen Oupo criticized the Department of Health even more harshly, urging it not to "reverse course or create loopholes" under pressure from certain legislators.
Deputy Health Minister Lai Jinxiang stated that the policy has not been finalized. Even if it is decided in the future to allow massage practitioners to operate at the same address as clinics, ten regulatory measures—including "seven prohibitions" and "three requirements"—will be implemented. These include prohibiting the practice of "TCM trauma Tui Na" as a medical procedure, banning claims of therapeutic effects, and forbidding billing under national health insurance. Practitioners would only be permitted to perform "traditional bone-setting and massage" aimed at relieving muscle tension and fatigue.
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Massage Therapists Withdraw from TCM Clinics as Health Department Eases Rules
The Department of Health has determined that Tui Na (Chinese therapeutic massage) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) trauma departments constitutes a medical practice. It requires massage practitioners without medical qualifications to withdraw completely from TCM clinics. As the two-year grace period is set to expire next month, rumors suggest the Department of Health may soften its stance and conditionally legalize these practitioners in their current locations. Yesterday, the Department of Health stated that the policy has not yet been finalized. A meeting will be held at the end of the month with consumer groups and traditional bone-setting and massage associations, with the new regulations expected to take effect as early as May.
TCM clinics commonly offer Tui Na services for trauma treatment. In the past, it was often reported that these services were not performed by licensed TCM doctors but by unlicensed massage therapists, constituting illegal medical practice. Under former Health Minister Yang Zhiliang, the Department of Health ordered all unlicensed massage practitioners to withdraw from TCM clinics, granting a two-year buffer period originally set to end this May. Recently, however, massage practitioners' self-help groups have frequently petitioned and protested, enlisting legislators to advocate for them. Although Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta stated yesterday during a legislative hearing that "the policy requiring traditional bone-setting and massage practitioners to exit TCM clinics remains unchanged," the Department of Health's stance has clearly shifted.
Huang Linhuang, Director of the Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy under the Department of Health, emphasized that the agency must not adopt a policy of "legalizing practitioners in place." At the very least, it should maintain its consistent position of requiring massage practitioners to operate independently at separate addresses. Otherwise, he questioned, "How can the government justify this to those who previously complied and withdrew?"
Legislators such as Xu Shaoping argued that the Department of Health should not allow non-medical personnel to provide non-medical, fee-based services in healthcare institutions covered by national health insurance. Legislator Wu Yuren warned that if this precedent is set, anyone could offer paid specialty services in hospital corners in the future. Legislator Chen Oupo criticized the Department of Health even more harshly, urging it not to "reverse course or create loopholes" under pressure from certain legislators.
Deputy Health Minister Lai Jinxiang stated that the policy has not been finalized. Even if it is decided in the future to allow massage practitioners to operate at the same address as clinics, ten regulatory measures—including "seven prohibitions" and "three requirements"—will be implemented. These include prohibiting the practice of "TCM trauma Tui Na" as a medical procedure, banning claims of therapeutic effects, and forbidding billing under national health insurance. Practitioners would only be permitted to perform "traditional bone-setting and massage" aimed at relieving muscle tension and fatigue.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……/ today- life7. htm? Slots=BLife