Federal Advocacy
Paraoptometric advocacy lifts optometry: Why staff involvement is critical
Paraoptometric attendance at the AOA’s premier advocacy conference, May 23-25, helps reinforce optometry’s case for immediate changes that will affect the entire practice.
Do you know optometry’s advocacy priorities? Learn the issues before Virtual AOA on Capitol Hill
Virtual AOA on Capitol Hill, May 23-25, is open to all advocacy-minded doctors, optometry students and paraoptometrics. Learn the issues and get involved at optometry’s premier advocacy event.
Ohio activates eligible doctors for COVID-19 vaccine administration, AOA focuses new relief efforts
As AOA advocates in new federal relief legislation and recognition of optometry’s ability to support the U.S. COVID-19 vaccine campaign, Ohio calls on volunteer doctors of optometry to assist.
2 members cut ties and another distances itself due to actions of anti-optometry lobbying group
Despite its name, the National Association of Optometrists and Opticians is a “front” for large optical retailers, working against the interests of doctors of optometry and comprehensive eye health care for patients, the AOA contends in a Jan. 5 letter sent to the Internal Revenue Service. Some companies are now taking steps to disassociate from the lobbying group and its recent actions.
Take Action, Secure Change
Congress, President Biden asked to activate optometry for COVID-19 vaccination response
As AOA encourages federal recognition of optometry as COVID-19 vaccinators, doctors can access new COVID-19 vaccinator resources, information and guidance with an upcoming #AskAOA webinar.
President Biden extends AOA-, AOSA-backed federal student loan relief through September
With a stroke of a pen, new President Joe Biden extended the moratorium on repayment of federal student loans through Sept. 30, 2021. With the average optometry student’s loan debt at graduation being close to $200,000, the AOA and the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) are working to ensure concerns of students and doctors of optometry are front and center.
Congress’ COVID-19 aid, spending bill: Contact Lens Rule implications, key tax and Medicare pay fixes among AOA wins
The more than $2 trillion aid package and omnibus bill include a laundry list of AOA advocacy priorities, including a delay to FTC Contact Lens Rule changes, a new PPP “second draw” and deductibility fix, and reversal of steep Medicare pay cuts.
AOA, AOSA make appeal to extend suspension of student loan payments
The moratorium on loan repayment has been extended to Jan. 31, 2021. The average optometry student’s loan debt when they graduate is close to $200,000, and the AOA and the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) argue that the relief makes a difference to current optometry students and doctors of optometry continuing to pay student loans. The AOA is working to ensure concerns of doctors of optometry nationwide are front and center.
AOA-backed DOC Access Act gains U.S. Senate companion
AOA turning up pressure on anti-patient, anti-doctor vision plan abuses with new U.S. Senate companion legislation.
Contact Lens Rule bill gains senators’ backing after all-out advocacy campaign
Over 7,400 individual constituent letters were sent via AOA’s Action Center and countless phone calls placed to senators’ offices, in what represents the AOA’s largest advocacy campaign in recent history.