AOA and AFOS: ‘Cut through the noise’ and empower licensed doctors of optometry to provide greater access to care to veterans
Eye care is the third-most requested health service by veterans at the VA—and doctors of optometry provide the majority of that care. Yet, as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) considers new national standards of practice for more than 50 health professions at its facilities, optometrists are making a winning case for expanding their role at an understaffed VA and are galvanizing against baseless attacks from organized medicine, ophthalmology and a few unbending legislators.
AOA: A force to reckon with
Always ready for the profession’s collective defense and advancement, the AOA leverages its full power, might and ability to deliver for you. You and your fellow members are the reason why the AOA remains an advocacy force, able to consistently deliver for doctors and their practices. So, explore how the AOA is working on your behalf.
Texas’ vision plan law takes effect, court challenge continues
The nation’s first comprehensive state law prohibiting vision plans’ anti-competitive behaviors threatening the doctor-patient relationship and patient eye care access took effect amid plans’ legal challenge.
Doctors of optometry in New Hampshire earn authorization to provide vaccines to public
The public can now get their vaccinations for COVID-19, shingles and flu from doctors of optometry in New Hampshire, after the New Hampshire Optometric Association helped secure passage of a bill giving them that authority. The new law goes into effect Sept. 3.
Fight for Optometry
The AOA is the only advocate for optometry. Discover how you can help optometry keep a seat at the table whenever and wherever health care policy decisions are being made.
U.S. House investigative committee calls for scrutiny of vision plans
Amid the AOA’s push for the bipartisan Dental and Optometric Care Access Act, a congressional panel authorized to investigate “any matter at any time” goes public with vision plan concerns and demands for oversight of industry consolidation and vertical integration.
Hubble Contacts concerns grow after woman loses eye, AOA asks where’s enforcement?
“The number of consumers who have experienced adverse events related to Hubble Contacts is unacceptable,” AOA tells federal regulators and health authorities in appeal for “real action.”
Optometry’s wins over abusive vision plans stacking up
The AOA and affiliates in Illinois and Georgia score wins against vision plan abuses in a year in which doctors of optometry are making inroads across the country. When all else failed, including talks with the plans and appeals to one state’s insurance commissioner, affiliates did the hard work of helping push through bills in their legislatures that address the abuses.
New Texas law halts vision plans’ anti-competitive, monopolistic behaviors
ICYMI: Texas optometry’s vision plan bill protects the doctor-patient relationship with provisions that promote fair competition and valuation of comprehensive optometric care. What does that mean for the profession at large?
YAG procedures by doctors of optometry, after cataract surgery, better for patients’ care and convenience
Survey of 10 states, where doctors of optometry are certified to perform the YAG capsulotomy to treat complications from cataract surgery, finds patients are more likely to get in to see their doctors of optometry for the laser eye surgery than their ophthalmologists, and many see cost savings. Survey results provide evidence or grounds for further optometric scope expansion to other states, especially in light of workforce shortages.
Affiliates’ advocacy teams prepare to convene for meeting of the minds
The state advocacy-focused meetings, hosted by the AOA State Government Relations Committee, return in 2023 with three regionally based forums August through October.