Get Involved, Stay Engaged

Advocacy is a year-round endeavor. Here are a few important dates to know about and steps you can take to support our Academy’s efforts to protect sight through advocacy.

Read the Washington Report Express newsletter. Every Thursday, the Academy gives you the news of the week, direct from our nation’s capital.

Engage with your state society. Many of the issues we tackle on the federal level could use a boost in your state. Visit aao.org/statesocieties to get in touch with your peers.

Contribute to the Academy’s OPHTHPAC fund and the Academy’s Surgical Scope Fund. OPHTHPAC bolsters our federal efforts. The Surgical Scope Fund provides resources to states where optometry is seeking inappropriate surgical privileges.

Attend the Academy’s Mid-Year Forum 2020, including Congressional Advocacy Day. Join us in Washington, D.C., April 22-25, for advocacy, education and an unparalleled opportunity to better understand the cornerstones of the business of ophthalmology: politics, policy and practice management.

Congress’ scheduled in-district work periods (varies by chamber)

The following periods are when congressional lawmakers depart Washington, D.C. While these breaks aren’t as long as the August recess, they nonetheless represent opportunities to engage with elected officials and their staff locally.

July 1-5 (Fourth of July holiday) Aug. 5-Sept. 6 (August Recess) Sept. 30-Oct. 14 Nov. 25-29 (Thanksgiving holiday) Dec. 16-31

Use Your Mobile Device to Build Up Your Advocacy Engagement

The Academy has a lot of news related to our congressional advocacy that you won't want to miss.

Text OPHTH to 51555 and we'll text you the latest developments. You'll periodic messages on the Academy's advocacy efforts.

Text MDEYE to 41444 to make an OPHTHPAC contribution

Text CONGA to 51555 to sign up to become a congressional advocate.