Federal Advocacy
U.S. House pens Medicare vision benefit language, but funding woes threaten derailment
Congress’ Sept. 15 deadline for bill language passes with lawmakers backing key guardrails that AOA’s advocates say must be in place for a workable benefit. Yet, price tag developments may forestall efforts.
Congress sets deadline to ink Medicare vision expansion language
A September deadline means now is the time for AOA members to act. Attend an upcoming special advisory group session for the latest legislative information and contact your members of Congress.
White House extends student loan relief, AOA continues push for NHSC inclusion
The AOA continues its support of optometry students, advocating for a temporary suspension of student loan debt due to the pandemic, as well as a long-term avenue toward loan forgiveness and repayment.
'One of the most impactful legislations for decades to come'
Is it happening? How will it work? What can you expect? The AOA fielded members’ questions about Congress’ efforts to create a Medicare vision benefit, providing the latest updates on a fluid situation.
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AOA, AFOS ensuring optometry well represented in formation of national practice standards by VA
With the Department of Veterans Affairs decision to modernize its electronic health record (EHR) system and its desire to standardize processes, procedures, data and coding, formation of new practice standards is being proposed for all non-MD/DO specialties—including doctors of optometry.
Medicare expansion momentum grows in Congress as AOA mobilizes doctors, students
The AOA is hosting a profession-wide videoconference, Thursday, July 29, to discuss rapidly developing legislation to expand Medicare benefits and is seeking members’ input to inform advocacy.
Congress urges administration to fully implement provider nondiscrimination law
Regulators have taken a “hands-off” approach to this key ACA provision for a decade, but now members of Congress encourage full implementation of the law as originally intended.
New era ahead for Department of Veterans Affairs Optometry Service and doctors of optometry
With the recent retirement of John Townsend, O.D., as head of the VA’s Optometry Service, the Armed Forces Optometric Society and the AOA look forward to working together on continuing to build up access and care for veterans and their families.
AOA advocacy helps shape new U.S. House bill to expand essential eye health and vision coverage for Medicare beneficiaries
The AOA continues to be at the forefront of discussions with lawmakers over the makeup of new legislation that would grant all traditional Medicare beneficiaries a new refraction and materials benefit.
AOA-backed DOC Access Act reintroduced to combat anti-competitive vision plans
Reintroduced in Congress, the bipartisan bills would curb anti-patient, anti-doctor mandates by vision plans and affirm doctor-patient relationship.