Federal Advocacy
AOA doctors, students cover Capitol Hill with push for bipartisan bill to curb plan abuses
AOA-led effort builds Congressional support for the DOC Access Act, delivering in-person briefings for members of Congress and strong backing from the American Dental Association and national pro-patient groups.
AOA and South Carolina doctors expose and defeat retail lobby group’s influence scheme
Already the subject of one complaint to the IRS, the National Association of Optometrists and Opticians (NAOO), a lobbying “front” for large optical retailers, was called out to legislators for deceptive tactics and seeking a self-serving overhaul of patient health and safety standards. The AOA follows up on winning activism of South Carolina doctors with a new push for a federal investigation of NAOO tax exempt status.
1% sequester cut on April 1: AOA urges Congress’ immediate attention on Medicare pay
The first of two Medicare sequester cuts loom on the horizon for doctors’ pay with additional cuts anticipated later this year. How AOA and others are working to avert an impending fiscal cliff.
AOA to CMS: Hold Medicare Advantage plans accountable
In a March 2 letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the AOA urged more action to support patient access to eye health and vision care under Medicare Advantage plans.
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Hubble Contacts slapped with $3.5 million penalties, restrictions and supervision
The DOJ, FTC action reflects a sustained, years-long effort by the AOA, state associations and doctors nationwide to gather and report on threats posed by unscrupulous contact lens sellers.
Medicare pay cuts, once delayed, looming without Congressional action
An all-out mobilization of doctor and student advocates is needed to urge lawmakers to correct several rounds of Medicare pay cuts in 2022 and 2023 with the first cut expected in the coming weeks.
Bipartisan bill to ban abusive policies of discount plans gets boost from policy expert report
Princeton, New Jersey-based Avalon Health Economics says plans’ mandated discounts for noncovered services and materials—and limits on laboratory freedom—harmfully distort the vision care market for patients and doctors of optometry. To fight back, the AOA is mobilizing its members and other national doctor groups to educate and inform Congress, now and in lead-up to in-person AOA on Capitol Hill.
A fast-paced 48 hours in round-the-clock AOA advocacy
AOA President calls advocacy a “privilege” to represent the profession and doctors of optometry, as a plethora of issues are tackled in 2021 and beyond.
U.S. House, consumer groups mull federal action against DTC contact lens sales schemes
Lawmakers are demanding a federal study to assess the need for future legislative or regulatory action against DTC prescription medical device sellers, after the AOA and other advocates spent years citing concerns.
Congress delays Medicare pay cuts, AOA preps for 2022 fight
Tens of thousands of AOA doctors and other advocates spoke out against the nearly 10% pay cuts looming on Jan. 1, prompting Congress to delay most cuts later into 2022-2023.