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Scope of practice legislation passes first committee
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AB 443 by Assembly Member Salas passed the Assembly Business and Professions Committee this week. The bill consists of the following provisions:
- Eliminates many of the protocols in current law and consolidates the referral requirements.
- Allows optometrists to collect blood by skin puncture for testing patients with diabetes.
- Allows optometrists to use a skin test limited to the superficial layer of the skin to diagnose ocular allergies.
- Allows optometrists to use a needle to remove foreign bodies.
- Allows optometrists to administer flu, shingles and pneumonia vaccines after receiving training and certification.
COA has been negotiating the contents of the bill the California Medical Association (CMA) and California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (CAEPS) for the past few weeks. Our stakeholder discussions will continue and additional provisions are expected to be added to the measure as it moves through the legislative process. The legislation will be heard next by the Assembly Appropriations Committee in late May.
There is a lot more work to do, but COA is pleased this bill is moving forward as a starting point. Contact Kristine Shultz at 916-266-5027 if you have any questions. |
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Central California Regional Advocacy Day
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Thank you to everyone who attended COA's Central California Regional Advocacy Day in Visalia last Saturday night. This event was one of the first of several COA Regional Advocacy Day's being scheduled around the state to bolster relationships between individual lawmakers and doctors of optometry and encourage more participation by doctors in the political process.
It was great to have the support of COA leadership at this event. COA board members Dr. Sage Hider, Dr. Stevin Minie, and Dr. Mark Nakano all made the long trip to Visalia. We believe Assembly Member Rudy Salas and Assembly Member Devon Mathis found the event valuable as both stayed quite a bit longer than they were scheduled and spent a lot of one-on-one time chatting with COA members.
Central California Regional Advocacy Day Attendees
The next two COA Regional Advocacy Days scheduled are in the SF/Bay Area and in Orange County:
San Francisco/Bay Area - Friday, May 5
COA will be 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, at SPUR Urban Center. 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: Friday, May 5, 2017, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm - reception; 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm - advocacy training (beer/wine and appetizers included)
Where: SPUR Urban Center, 654 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Orange County - Saturday, July 22
Marshall B. Ketchum University has offered to host a free regional advocacy day for all optometrists and students on Saturday, July 22, 2017. Save the date! Online registration will be available in May.
What: COA Orange County Regional Advocacy Day
When: Saturday, July 22, 2017, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm
Where: Marshall B. Ketchum University |
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Support Ed Hernandez, OD for Lieutenant 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.
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. If you can't attend, please consider making a contribution in any amount to Senator Ed Hernandez for Lt. Governor. Click here to contribute now.
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