Federal Advocacy
AOA makes robust rebuttal to FTC over proposed changes to Eyeglass Rule
During the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) recent comment period on the proposed changes, the AOA recommends updating the Eyeglass Rule to better serve and protect consumers and seeks to meet with agency officials.
DOC Access Act introduced amid growing patient calls for Congress to act
The Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act curbs anti-patient, anti-doctor mandates by vision plans and affirms the doctor-patient relationship.
Bill seeks physician-level recognition, more competitive pay and advancement opportunities for VA doctors of optometry
Urge lawmakers to support a Senate bill that would recognize the physician-level care doctors of optometry provide and ensure the VA has the tools it needs to better recruit and retain the overwhelming providers of primary and medical eye care for the nation’s veterans.
Contact Lens Rule compliance
Know the requirements and where to find resources that can help you comply.
Take Action, Secure Change
Brush up on AOA’s priority issues and connect with your lawmakers to urge their support.
AOA decries misleading Medicare Advantage advertising
Medicare’s proposal for addressing misleading Medicare Advantage advertising is a step in the right direction, the AOA contends, urging added attention on the marketing of supplemental benefits for eye care.
Gaining access: A win for veterans and doctors of optometry
The Department of Veterans Affairs lifts language that had restricted care from doctors of optometry, opening up access to veterans around the country. Persistent advocacy by AOA, AFOS, the Mississippi Optometric Association and other stakeholders results in greater care delivery.
Congress heeds AOA’s call to stop Medicare pay cuts, but lawmakers’ plan falls short
Medicare physicians can expect a 2% cut on Jan. 1, down from an expected 8.4% cut after Congress’ last-minute omnibus spending bill passed with several AOA-won priorities addressed.
Proactive advocacy gets early eyeglass rule gains, notice of potential new burden
Federal Trade Commission officials just opened the public phase of their process to finalize a 158-page eyeglass rule revision. Thanks to the AOA’s 24/7 advocacy, the concerns of America’s family eye doctors and their patients are already front and center.
Fighting for veterans, fighting for optometry
Ensuring our nation’s veterans have access to the full range of eye care they need, when and where they need it, has long been a mission for optometry’s advocates. Now, a pair of Veterans Health Administration directives affecting optometry could have far-reaching consequences beyond the nation’s largest integrated health care network.
AOA-PAC plays outsized role in 2022 midterm elections
Access the AOA’s 2022 elections map to see how optometry’s candidates fared and where advocates can get involved to ensure the profession’s priorities remain heard.