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COA works to shield optometrists from expensive audit requirement
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COA is advocating for legislation to stop the California Department of Education (department) from requiring the submission of a financial audit by optometrists who contract with schools to provide services to special education students. Current law requires anyone with contracts to provide services for certain special education students to undergo an audit, which could cost the providers up to $15,000. The audit requirement has been in law since 1999. However, the department never enforced this provision because its attorneys were unaware of the requirement.
COA's lobbyist is working with the department on a bill that would remove this requirement for those making less than $500,000 from their contracts with schools. The bill would essentially eliminate the audit requirement for 95 percent of the various behavioral and health care providers working with students. Since the department is also supporting this effort to change the audit requirement, there is a high likelihood that it will get signed into law.
In the meantime, the department has agreed to not enforce the audit requirement until September 2017 for those applying for contracts for the 2018 school year. COA anticipates the audit requirement to be eliminated before it is enforced. |
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COA priority legislation update
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Scope of practice (AB 443) - The bill would expand the scope of practice of optometry. COA continues to negotiate the specific provisions with the author of the bill, Assembly Member Rudy Salas. The bill will be heard in its first committee on April 18 or April 25.
Children's vision (AB 1110) - The bill would require that children receive a comprehensive eye examination before they enter school. The bill is set for hearing April 5. We are excited to announce two new supporting organizations: California PTA and Service Employees International Union (SEIU). You can add to the momentum around the bill by signing our petition in support of this important legislation here.
COA will be streaming a press conference on AB 1110 live on its Facebook page on April 5, at 11:30 am. Click here to tune in: https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOptometric/
Restoration of Medi-Cal vision benefits (AB 1092) - The bill would restore Medi-Cal coverage for one pair of eyeglasses provided every two years to an individual 21 years-of-age or older. This bill passed the Assembly Health Committee today with no opposition. |
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Two children's vision editorials published
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In an opinion piece in the Long Beach Press Telegram, Assembly Member Autumn Burke, D-Inglewood, and Bunthay Chorn Tan, OD, ask state lawmakers to support AB 1110. This legislation that would boost learning and lifelong health by connecting students with comprehensive eye exams and glasses at little to no cost to families.
A second opinion editorial in support of AB 1110 by COA Board Member Dr. Amanda Dexter was published today in Capitol Weekly. |
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Physician enters race for lt. governor against Senator Ed Hernandez, OD
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Senator Ed Hernandez has his first official challenger for his lieutenant governor bid, with Democratic physician Amid Mahmood joining the race. Mahmood is a doctor of pulmonary medicine who practices in Pasadena. If elected, he would be the first Muslim to hold statewide office in California. |
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Assembly Member Kevin Mullin fundraiser
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We need your help! COA is raising money to support the re-election of Assembly Member Kevin Mullin in Hillsborough on Friday evening, April 28. Assembly Member Mullin is a Democrat representing the 22nd Assembly District, which encompasses most of the San Francisco Peninsula region. Mullin serves as the Assembly speaker pro tempore and is a member of the Assembly Business and Professions and Budget committees. He is a strong supporter of optometry and we need all optometrists to support his re-election.
Political involvement is essential to COA's success. The minimum contribution is $100 per person. If you are outside the area, please consider sending in a check to sponsor a student to attend.
What: Assembly Member Kevin Mullin fundraiser
When: Friday, April 28, 2017; 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Where: The home of Dr. Andrew Soss: 5 Sandra Road; Hillsborough, CA 94010
How: Contribution levels: Sponsor $1,000; Patron $500; Supporter $100
To RSVP, contact Julie Andrade at jandrade@coavision.org or 916-266-5031
Make checks payable to: Kevin Mullin for Assembly 2018, ID #1392828
℅ McKinley+Pillows Fundraising; 921 11th Street, Suite 904; Sacramento, CA 95814 |
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Attend COA Central Valley regional advocacy event
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COA is holding a free regional advocacy event for all members in the COA 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. Come out, have a great time, and network with your colleagues! Register online now.
What: COA Central California Optometric Societies Regional Advocacy Event
When: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm - reception; 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm - advocacy training (dinner included)
Where: Bravo Farms, 400 N. Willis Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291 |
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