WASHINGTON— The American Academy of Ophthalmology is pleased that Prevent Blindness America (PBA) today announced its support of the “Children’s Access to Vision Care Act of 2005” (HR 2328), introduced by Rep. Vito Fossella, R-N.Y. The bill would provide $75 million in state grants for eye examinations and additional needed treatment for uninsured children who have failed a vision screening
With today’s endorsement, PBA joins the Academy, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and the American Academy of Family Physicians in supporting the critical legislation. HR 2328 seeks to ensure that scarce health care dollars are used to help those most in need – uninsured children with identified vision problems. The bill complements individual state programs that identify vision problems in preschoolers and school age children. It would pay for follow-up treatment for children who are either uninsured or have health plans that do not cover vision services.
According to the National Eye Institute, amblyopia (lazy eye) is the most common cause of visual impairment in children and can lead to strabismus, a misalignment of the eyes (crossed eyes). These problems can be corrected and the effects reversed if they are identified and treated early. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends vision screening to detect amblyopia and strabismus once for all children prior to entering school, preferably between ages three and four.
The Academy worked with Fossella to help develop legislation that is both fiscally responsible and provides funds to help fill the existing void in eye care for uninsured children.
“With the recent catastrophes of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we are keenly aware of both the needs of the uninsured, especially children, and the realities of extreme fiscal constraint. This bill address both of those issues by targeting scarce health care dollars to provide critical services to those children who need them most,” said Susan H. Day, MD, a pediatric ophthalmologist and president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “At the state level severe budget deficits threaten further cuts to Medicare and Medicaid benefits, including vision and eyeglass coverage. We cannot ignore the vision needs of vulnerable children, particularly when healthy vision is critical to success in school and in life. This legislation is a prudent use of taxpayer dollars for a very worthy cause, and it is needed now.”
“We enthusiastically endorse this legislation because it is such a wise use of scarce public health funds,” said Daniel D. Garrett, senior vice president of Prevent Blindness America. “Prevent Blindness America is particularly impressed with Rep. Fossella’s strategy to target funds to children who have already been identified as needing follow up care, but who would otherwise not get it. PBA serves those children on a regular basis and we know they will benefit from this program.”
“I applaud Prevent Blindness America for its endorsement of this important legislation. PBA provides an important service in communities across the country and its members know first hand the importance of development of vision in children,” said Michael Repka, MD, president of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. “By supporting this bill, Prevent Blindness America is recognizing the importance of fostering screening programs in our states and the need to provide financial support for necessary diagnosis and treatment services for children identified with a problem.”
