Dear Colleagues,
Very little has happened on the legislative front in Idaho recently. The pandemic has made one on one lobbying efforts very difficult. With the Idaho Legislature focused on other things we are in a bit of a holding pattern. In addition, we expect the make up of key legislative committees to change dramatically after the upcoming election. There are, however; a couple of things I wanted to make everyone aware of.
On a positive note nationally, the Veterans of Health Affairs updated its policy on eye care to more fully allow optometrists the opportunity to practice to the level of their training. Specifically, the wording of the eye care policy in the VA handbook has removed the part allowing only ophthalmologists to perform selective laser trabeculoplasty and YAG capsulotomy.
In a letter from the AOA dated August 27.2020 we read the following: “This recent VA action is one in a series of access-focused efforts, including an April 2020 policy underscoring that veterans are best served when all VA doctors of optometry and other essential care providers deliver care with full practice authority.” Obviously, this is a step in the right direction and, safety concerns within the VA, hopefully, will no longer be used as a club to beat wayward state affiliates into submission. This was brought up by the opposition during our recent scope battle in Idaho.
In other eye related national news, the FTC is still on track to enforce a new rule change requiring eye care providers to get signed acknowledgement forms indicating patients’ receipt of contact lens prescriptions and to keep record of that confirmation for at least three years. The AOA has formally requested enforcement of this new rule to be delayed until January of 2021. The AOA has continued to work with house and senate leaders to oppose this burdensome rule ahead of implementation.
As always, we welcome input as we represent the profession of optometry and the health and wellbeing of our patients.
Sincerely,
Rustin M. Hatch OD
IOP Legislative Chair