Florida optometrists quash effort—again—to pass ‘not-a-doctor’ bill
“Not-a-doctor” bills have resurfaced again during this legislative session, after state affiliates and the AOA defeated similar pushes across the country in 2023. In Florida, on the last day of the legislative session, a bill there to limit the use of specific medical titles failed.
South Dakota secures scope expansion for injections, optometric laser procedures
South Dakota’s scope victory makes it the twelfth state in the nation to authorize doctors of optometry for ophthalmic lasers, bolstering patients’ access to this level of care.
What optometry’s advocates are championing at AOA on Capitol Hill
Learn about the priority federal issues that hundreds of optometrists and optometry students will take to Capitol Hill as part of optometry’s single-largest annual advocacy gathering, April 14-16, and how you can join.
Capitol Hill inquiries into plan abuses are expanding
Key congressional health panel chairs join forces to probe impact of VBM vertical integration and acquisition strategies.
Fight for Optometry
The AOA is the only advocate for optometry. Discover how you can help optometry keep a seat at the table whenever and wherever health care policy decisions are being made.
Health system optometrists strike for recognition, fair labor practices
Doctors of optometry employed by the University of California system went on strike Feb. 6-7, after a year of efforts to secure an agreement to invest in the care they provide.
'Not-a-doctor' bills are back: Affiliates, AOA preparing for fresh attacks on optometry
Last year, affiliates across the country defeated attempts to turn the clock back on optometry’s groundbreaking progress. This year brings two new challenges, as legislation is introduced in Florida—again—and Tennessee this month. Not that the AOA or optometry’s advocates in those states are surprised; as optometry advances, they’re prepared to resist any legislation that isn’t in the best interests of doctors of optometry and patients.
Texas vision plan law, now in effect, sees favorable development in federal lawsuit
The state’s first-in-the-nation vision plan reform law has faced a legal challenge since its passage, but a federal judge’s recent motion gives optometry’s advocates an opportunity to respond.
Talk of the townhall: Doctors view plan abuses as threat to doctor-patient relationship and quality care
Forum on reimbursement and coverage fairness advocacy produces fresh reports of plan-imposed barriers and support for mobilization for tough new laws, stronger enforcement and close government scrutiny of the vision plan industry.
Proposal in Utah would restrict contact lens patient choice, disrupt doctor-patient relationship
State legislator authors misguided plan to block contact lens sales by doctors.
Speak out on reimbursement and coverage fairness advocacy
Final hours to register for tonight’s virtual townhall Zoom session at 9 p.m. ET to speak out against vision plan abuses, assess 2023 legislative and regulatory gains, and help build support for policy change.