CAOA Government Affairs Weekly
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Inside this issue
  COA diabetes coalition meeting  
  COA's new coalition seeking to improve diabetes care in California, met on February 24 in Sacramento. The coalition discussed Anthem Blue Cross' efforts to improve diabetes care and talked about barriers to connecting patients with diabetes to annual eye exams. COA is working with Anthem on a "diabetes day" at Peach Tree Health Clinic in Sacramento where patients will get eye exams, other medically necessary screenings and diabetes education in the same visit. Our goal is to demonstrate how better integration of optometry in the health care system can improve diabetes care in California.  

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  Editorial highlights optometry's role in diabetes, COA priorities  
  The Riverside Press Enterprise published a guest editorial from COA member Dr. Charolette Barnes-LeBlanc at the end of February. The article focused on COA's efforts to improve outcomes for diabetes patients, noting the particular vision and health risks faced by California's African American population and the opportunity to reverse diabetes statistics through children's vision, access to diabetes screenings and restoring Medi-Cal's vision benefit.  

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  Central Valley regional advocacy event  
  COA is holding a free regional advocacy event for all COA members in the Central California, Kern County and Tri-County Optometric Societies. Don't miss this fun event on Saturday, April 22, 2017. We will start at 7:00 p.m. with a reception that will include lawmakers from the greater Central Valley area. The second part of the event will include an update on important legislative issues and grassroots advocacy training. Register online now.

What: COA Central California Optometric Societies Regional Advocacy Event
Where: Bravo Farms, 400 N. Willis Avenue, Visalia, CA  93291
When: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - reception; 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - advocacy training
 

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  Children's vision legislation sample support letter  
  COA is seeking support from local community organizations for AB 1110, proposed legislation that would require children to receive comprehensive eye exams upon starting school. Please ask any local organizations you are involved with to support this important legislation. Here is a link to a sample support letter.  

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  Emerging technologies in optometry discussed at legislative hearing  
  At a recent hearing, the State Board of Optometry answered questions from state lawmakers about new technology that allows consumers to get a refraction-only exam online. The discussion described the potential negative health consequences that this new business model presents. View the video by clicking here.  

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  Leadership training opportunity for women  
 
Thinking about running for office one day or looking to expand your professional network? If so, consider attending the California Women LEADership Academy, which is being held in Anaheim and Sacramento. This event is a full-day of interactive discussions and networking that focuses on giving women skills, practical action items and access to a statewide network to inspire them personally, professionally, politically and discuss important policy issues facing the state. For pricing and additional information on the Academy visit: www.cawomenlead.org/aboutLA.
 

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