Legislative Advocacy & Higher Education Policy
The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine (CCAHM) engages in federal and higher education policy work that protects student access, supports institutional stability, and strengthens the long-term viability of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (AHM) education. This work is grounded in CCAHM’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, including Priority 4: Expand Legislative Advocacy and Regulatory Engagement.
Advocacy focus areas
- Federal student aid and affordability for AHM students
- Education policy and accountability frameworks affecting degree programs
- Regulatory engagement, including negotiated rulemaking
- Coalition-building to amplify the voice of AHM institutions
Why this work matters
Federal and state policy decisions shape whether students can finance their education, how programs are evaluated, and how institutions plan for workforce needs. CCAHM’s role is to represent the higher education perspective of accredited AHM colleges and help ensure policies reflect how professional education actually works. This has become especially critical in recent months, with key provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impacting higher education and the Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine sector.
Current policy issues
Student aid and affordability
We monitor and engage on policies affecting graduate/professional borrowing, program eligibility, and affordability for students pursuing Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine education.
January 30, 2026 update
The U.S. Department of Education has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) following the work of the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee to implement recent federal student loan changes enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The proposed rules would revise graduate and professional student loan limits and restructure elements of the federal loan and repayment system, with potential implications for students enrolling in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine education programs beginning Fall 2026 (in addition to other health professions).
CCAHM and the AHM Coalition will share additional guidance to support interested parties in submitting informed, substantive public comments that reflect positions intended to best support the profession and the communities we serve. Please stay tuned for coordinated communications related to the public comment process.
Accountability and regulatory measures
We track and respond to federal accountability frameworks and implementation rules that impact degree programs. CCAHM supports rigorous standards while advocating for measures that are accurate, fair, and aligned with professional licensure pathways.
Professional recognition and workforce readiness
Our policy work supports the Strategic Plan’s two main pillars: Promote & Unify the Profession and Strengthen & Equip the Practitioners. We do this by advancing professional identity, supporting educational excellence, and reinforcing workforce readiness across member institutions.
How CCAHM advocates
- Policy analysis and issue briefs for member institutions and the public, where applicable
- Expert-led formal comments and input on proposed regulations and guidance
- Coalition-based engagement with aligned organizations and stakeholders
- Member education, briefings, and action alerts when appropriate
Connection to CCAHM’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan
Legislative advocacy and education policy work is a defined strategic priority for CCAHM’s 2026–2028 plan, which calls for building infrastructure for long-term success through legislative advocacy, member collaboration, and coalition-building.
For members: updates and action steps
CCAHM members can access more detailed policy tracking, discussion threads, and time-sensitive updates in the CCAHM Connect member collaboration portal, including links to source materials and member-only briefings. Contact your school administrator or Executive Director, Kristin Richeimer, for access to CCAHM Connect.
Contact
For policy or media inquiries, please contact CCAHM at kricheimer@ccahm.org.
This page provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Members should consult their own legal counsel for institution-specific guidance.