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Legislation draws media attention to issue of children's vision
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Assembly Member Autumn Burke with children from the AB 1110 press conference
COA-supported legislation to improve opportunities for children's vision and eye health passed the Assembly Education Committee last week. The bill, AB 1110, by Assembly Member Autumn Burke, D-Inglewood, would require children to receive an eye exam before they enter school. The legislation is intended to help educate parents that all children should get a comprehensive eye exam. Similar to the school exam requirement in Kansas and Illinois, there are no penalties if parents do not comply. The legislation is sponsored by the California Board of Optometry.
Opposition to the bill included the California Medical Association, California School Nurses Organization, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Kaiser Permanente. You can watch a video of the testimony on AB 1110, starting at 1:42:22. (The link is viewable in Internet Explorer or Mozilla web browsers, not Chrome). The legislation moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee where it is not expected to be acted upon until late May.
COA organized a press conference prior to the hearing, which was a huge success. The press conference resulted in statewide TV coverage of the bill that serves to remind parents of the need to get an eye exam for their kids. You can watch the entire press conference on COA's Facebook page.
Links to media coverage of AB 1110
KCRA NBC 3 News - Sacramento
Noticias 19 Edición Nocturna at 11PM - Univision - Sacramento
KSEE 24 News at 5PM - KSEE NBC - Fresno
FOX 40 News at 5:30PM - KTXL FOX - Sacramento
17 News at 6PM - KGET NBC - Bakersfield
ABC 10 News at 6PM - KXTV ABC - Sacramento
KCOY 12 CCLN at 5AM and 6AM - KCOY CBS - Santa Barbara
April 6, 2017 - Sacramento Bee article |
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Scope of practice update
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AB 443 by Assembly Member Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield, will be amended in the next few days with language that would expand the optometric scope of practice in California. The bill will include many of the changes that were in last year's scope of practice bill, SB 622, including a provision to allow the State Board of Optometry to approve new, non-invasive technologies so COA is not forced to go back to the Legislature every time a new technology is developed to treat an eye condition.
Meetings between stakeholders will continue and the language is expected to change as the bill moves through the legislative process. AB 443 is expected to be set for hearing on April 25 in Assembly Business and Professions Committee and will be characterized as a "work in progress."
COA will continue to meet with Assembly Member Salas' staff, the California Medical Association and California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons every Friday afternoon until all issues have been resolved. |
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Support Ed Hernandez, OD for lt. governor
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Senator Ed Hernandez, OD, has been a fighter for the optometric profession his whole life. As a member of the State Assembly, he helped craft and push through legislation to expand the scope of practice of optometry. As a Senator, he authored the legislation that established robust essential benefits coverage for children's eye care. As chair of the Senate Health Committee, Senator Hernandez has positioned himself well to directly shape health policy in California.
Running for office isn't easy. It means time away from your family and putting your life under a microscope. Help elect one of our own who has been willing to sacrifice so much to help his profession. Please contribute any amount to Senator Ed Hernandez for Lt. Governor. Click here to contribute now.
There are two local fundraisers for Senator Hernandez hosted by COA members coming up:
- On April 27, 2017, Drs. Weylin and Kristine Eng are hosting a fundraiser in the Contra Costa County area. The event is from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. RSVP by contacting Dr. Page Yarwood via email or at (510) 654-4747.
- On June 16, 2017, Dr. Jeff Garcia is hosting a fundraiser in the central valley town of Lemoore. The event is from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. RSVP by contacting Nancy Pena via email or at (626) 862-9644.
Attending one of these events is a great opportunity to show support for your fellow optometrists who have opened their homes to help their colleague. |
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Attend COA regional advocacy days
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Central Valley
COA is holding a free regional advocacy day 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 pm with a reception that will include lawmakers from the greater Central Valley area, including the author of AB 443, Assembly Member Rudy Salas. The second part of the event will include an update on important legislative issues and grassroots advocacy training. Come out, meet Assembly Member Salas and have a great time! Register online now.
What: COA Central California Optometric Societies Regional Advocacy Day
When: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm - reception; 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm - advocacy training (beer/wine and dinner included)
Where: Bravo Farms, 400 N. Willis Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291
San Francisco/Bay Area
COA celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a regional advocacy day in downtown San Francisco that is free for optometrists and optometry students. The event is on Friday, May 5, 2017. The reception starts at 6:00 pm, where you will have an opportunity to mingle with bay area lawmakers in an intimate setting. The second part of the event will include an update on important legislative issues and grassroots advocacy training. The event is located close to the Moscone center, with easy transit access via Muni, BART or parking garages nearby. Space is limited! Register online now.
What: COA Bay Area Regional Advocacy Day
When: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm - reception; 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm - advocacy training (beer/wine and appetizers included)
Where: Spur Urban Center, 654 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 |
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