News and views on the regulatory, legislative, and political issues impacting ophthalmology in Washington, D.C., and around the United States
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2027 Fee Schedule Proposes Cutting Pay to Physicians by 1.68%
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2027. Here are the highlights based on the Academy’s analysis. The Academy will work with our advocacy partners to ensure finalized policies support our members and their patients.
Optometric Scope Bills Introduced in West Virginia and South Dakota
Despite successfully defending patient safety in these two states last year, lawmakers have introduced bills to allow optometrists to perform laser and scalpel surgery.
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January 10, 2024
Vermont Introduces Optometric Surgery Legislation
The Vermont legislature introduced a bill to expand optometry to include laser and incisional surgery and therapeutic injections.
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January 10, 2024
Utah Agency Recommends Optometric Laser Surgery
Despite numerous communications, presentations, and meetings with the Utah Ophthalmology Society, the state’s Office of Professional Licensure Review has recommended optometric scope expansion to perform YAG and SLT laser surgery.
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January 10, 2024
California Assembly Committee Advances Dangerous Scope Bill
A bill authorizing optometrists to perform surgical procedures cleared the California State Legislature's Assembly Business and Professions Committee in an 11-7 vote Tuesday.
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January 10, 2024
Concerns Grow About Threats to Quality Surgical Eye Care for Veterans
Recent letters from members of Congress and physician groups to Department of Veterans Affairs health officials highlight growing concerns that a potential new national standard of practice could allow VA-employed optometrists to perform laser eye surgery — significantly lowering the quality of surgical eye care in VA health facilities.
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December 20, 2023
California to Reconsider Dangerous Optometric Surgery Legislation
The state legislature has revived a bill that would expand optometric surgery. A committee hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9.
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October 4, 2023
Veteran and Military Service Organizations Oppose Optometric Scope Expansion in VA
Veterans’ and military groups representing more than 2.5 million veterans, active duty and retired military personnel submitted statements to a key congressional subcommittee opposing the VA’s development of national standards of practice for optometry.
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September 27, 2023
American Legion Echoes Concerns Over VA Standards of Practice
In a statement to a House Veterans’ Affairs subcommittee the organization reiterated its longstanding support for eye surgery by surgeons and found veterans prefer physician-led health care teams when accessing care in VA facilities.
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September 27, 2023
One Year After California Veto, the Fight Continues
A year ago today, Gov. Gavin Newsom defended safe surgery by surgeons in California, but the fight will continue next year as more states consider optometric surgery.
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September 20, 2023
Refuting Optometry’s Misleading Claims Before Congress
The American Optometric Association presented several misleading claims Tuesday during a hearing in the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs’ plans to establish national standards of practice for health care professions in VA health facilities. We set the record straight.
