The Academy’s OPHTHPAC®, your profession’s nonpartisan political action committee, had a very successful midterm election this week with the vast majority of our candidates winning seats in the 118th Congress starting in 2023.
This could prove one of our most successful elections yet for electing and reelecting candidates with a proven record of championing our priorities in Congress. OPHTHPAC supported candidates in 160 races. Of those:
- 138 won
- Only eight lost
- 14 races remain undecided
The two ophthalmologists in Congress easily won reelection this week.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, won by a far stronger margin than the six-vote lead that first carried her to Congress. This year, she won a second two-year term by more than 20,000 votes. Dr. Miller-Meeks has proven a strong voice for ophthalmology, particularly when it comes to veterans’ eye care.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., also won his race to serve a third six-year term. Since his 2010 election to the Senate, he has helped advance many of our advocacy priorities. He weighed in with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (PDF), highlighting the Academy’s concerns about Aetna's cataract surgery prior authorization policy and its impact on Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.
The possible implementation of national standards of practice for Veterans Health Administration health professionals, including optometrists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, will become a significant issue during the Congress.
OPHTHPAC’s congressional relationships could help our cause. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a key member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (VA), won reelection along with several members serving on the House Committee on VA.
Veteran Rich McCormick, MD, a potential candidate for the House Committee on VA, was also elected to his first term representing Georgia’s sixth district.
Several other pro-ophthalmology allies who may help advance our federal priorities in Washington, D.C., also won this cycle and OPHTHPAC’s congressional relationships are critical for advancing our cause.
We’ll keep you posted on results and what they could mean for 2023. We still hope to see the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act pass the Senate this year. If it doesn’t, we’ll work with all those who just won election or re-election to push for its passage next Congress.