COA local legislative days – register today

Optometry will face serious issues this year due to changes in health care that will have a long-lasting impact on the profession. Optometry needs every doctor of optometry in the state to help to move the profession forward during this time of uncertainty, change and new opportunities. February 21 and 28, both Fridays, have been set aside as COA local legislative days where we ask that doctors and optometry students meet with their lawmakers in the district office. While even a small group of dedicated doctors of optometry and optometric students can greatly impact legislative outcomes in targeted ways, the more who are involved, the bigger the impact. 

Here is what you can do to help:

• On February 21 or 28, take 30 minutes to meet with your lawmaker at his or her district office in support of SB 492, COA's legislation to redefine the practice of optometry. COA will schedule appointments for you with state lawmakers on these Fridays. Simply explain to your elected representative how doctors of optometry can serve a vital role in addressing the provider gap. Before your meeting, COA will make it easy for you by providing talking points and hosting a webinar about how to respond to difficult questions. Register today!
• Mark your calendar to attend COA's Legislative Day in Sacramento on May 13, 2014. This will be an important "show of force" day for the entire optometric profession. COA lobbyists will teach you everything you need to know to talk with lawmakers. Register here.

COA-sponsored SB 492 is important for the future of the profession. Eliminating practice restrictions on doctors of optometry will make the profession more attractive to health plans and other payers that are looking to reduce costs and improve quality. While it's easy to just sit back and keep on doing what you have always done, the world is changing dramatically around us all. Medicine is working hard to maintain its monopoly. We have a real chance to move the profession forward in a big way; in a way that will dramatically improve patient care and your practice. You've worked hard to earn your license as the preeminent eye health and vision care provider. You owe it to yourself and your future to get involved today.

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