American Academy of Ophthalmology recognizes policy and legislative efforts to ensure patients receive sight-saving treatments
WASHINGTON — The American Academy of Ophthalmology is honoring Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for his important efforts to advocate for enhancing and preserving access to quality eye care in the United States. Sen. Schumer is one of nine 2017 recipients of the Visionary Award for important efforts to advocate for enhancing and preserving access to quality eye care in the United States.
The Academy presents its Visionary Award each year in conjunction with its annual legislative visit to Capitol Hill.
Sen. Schumer was instrumental in a bicameral effort to prevent the implementation of a proposal that would have inadvertently jeopardized patients’ access to eye care treatment. His leadership helped compel the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reconsider adopting a flawed Medicare Part B drug demonstration as a way to curb rising health care costs.
“The nation’s ophthalmologists are proud of Sen. Chuck Schumer for working to ensure that patients in every community have timely access to critical treatments for eye diseases,” said Cynthia A. Bradford, MD, president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “The Academy is committed to fostering partnerships within Congress to ensure that our patients can receive the highest-quality medical and surgical eye care.”
The Academy is the leading voice for the profession of ophthalmology in Washington. The organization takes an active role in working with Congress and government agencies on policy issues that affect how medical and surgical care is provided in the United States.
About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart® program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.