State Advocacy
Regional Advocacy Meetings strengthen states’ advocacy, collaboration
The four regional advocacy meetings across the U.S. this summer and fall look to build upon the profession’s historic statehouse momentum in recent years. Learn how you can get involved.
Virginia gains optometric laser procedures for glaucoma, post-cataract care
Virginia becomes the ninth state—and third since 2021—to expand its optometric scope of practice to include these contemporary procedures.
1-800 Contacts’ attempt to undermine law thwarted by Georgia doctors yet again
Doctors of optometry repeatedly leverage long relationships to ensure patient safety in delivering eye care and overcoming push by 1-800 Contacts. The lesson: Be proactive and reactive.
AOA, MOA rebuff insurer’s reprisals against Mississippi eye care providers
Mississippi ophthalmologists participating in preceptorships for optometry’s newly authorized YAG laser capsulotomy procedure faced threat of losing malpractice insurance coverage.
Equip to Expand Scope
New York gains oral medication prescribing authority
The Empire State rounds out the list of states permitting optometry’s oral medication prescribing for ocular diseases, capping a year of historic scope wins for optometry’s advocates.
California amends optometry’s approved treatments, medications and testing
The scope victories eliminate some prior drug and treatment restrictions while also authorizing expanded testing, as well as COVID-19 vaccine administration.
Kansas Insurance Department puts vision plans on notice
After the Kansas Optometric Association and doctors of optometry there raised concerns, the Kansas Insurance Department says it will enforce the state Vision Care Services Act. Want to learn more about third party advocacy? Save the date for the AOA Payer Advocacy Summit, Nov. 15-16.
State advocates ‘fighting to defend and advance our profession’
The Advancing Optometry: State Advocacy Summit 2021, Aug. 30-31, convened hundreds of state advocates and leaders to prepare for current and future statehouse challenges.
The scope of success
Coming off a pandemic-stricken year no less, states logged historic scope wins that helped to better realize optometry’s full prowess as primary eye care providers. An upcoming virtual summit offers state advocacy volunteers and leaders, and optometry’s advocates, an opportunity to collaborate on best practices.
State Advocacy Summit amplifies lessons from year of historic scope victories
Advancing Optometry: State Advocacy Summit 2021, Aug. 30-31, is a virtual opportunity for state advocacy volunteers and leaders, and optometry’s advocates, to collaborate on best practices.