State Advocacy
BREAKING: Optometry, patients win in Arkansas as ballot challenge to expanded practice law is invalidated
The high court’s ruling ends the current bid by an ophthalmology-backed effort to place the state’s new optometric scope of practice act on the ballot for November.
Court-appointed official deems signatures at heart of Arkansas scope saga invalid
The development comes as Arkansans for Healthy Eyes fights a well-funded, ophthalmologist-led group vying to dismantle the state’s scope of practice law in November’s election.
VSP policy change may violate states’ patient protection laws
VSP reimbursement changes, which take effect Sept. 1, may run counter to states’ laws as the AOA and affiliates challenge policies that could negatively affect patient care.
ALERT: Arkansas scope saga necessitates urgent action
Opponents to Arkansas’ optometric scope of practice expansion up the ante in fight to repeal law; AOA steps up support and urges members’ immediate help.
Equip to Expand Scope
Study: Scope expansion to save Americans $4.6 billion annually
Billions in annual savings to Americans’ health care and widespread support for a full range of optometric care are linchpin findings of a new report on nationwide optometric scope of practice expansion.
AOA, affiliates work in lockstep on optometry’s priorities
Presenting at a Republican Attorneys General event, the AOA’s state government volunteers presented on patient protection enforcement and the FTC’s proposed Contact Lens Rule.
Arkansas bureaucrat alleges ‘unethical’ request in scope law saga
Arkansas doctors of optometry, and their patients, win again as hard-fought efforts avert a referendum for a November 2020 ballot.
Maryland expands scope of practice
Maryland doctors of optometry gain new autonomy, prescribing authority, and procedures and management privileges with scope of practice expansion.
AOA, state affiliates blaze path for optometry’s future
States’ 2019 legislative sessions are well underway and, already, optometry’s advocates can report important progress on patient safety and scope bills in a pair of states.
Report reflects AOA input to enhance health care access and choice for Americans
Proposed reforms include scope expansion in states.