What Legislative Issues You Can Expect in 2016

The Legislature is out of session and things have quieted down at the Capitol, but COA has been gearing up to take on the opportunities and challenges we are sure to face next year. Below is a summary of the issues we can expect to see in 2016:

Scope of practice - COA will continue to sponsor SB 622, legislation by Senator Ed Hernandez, OD, to expand the scope of practice of optometrists and remove the protocols for various treatments. The bill must pass the Assembly Business and Professions Committee by mid-July.

Children's vision - COA is supporting the efforts of the State Board of Optometry to pass SB 402, Mitchell, legislation to require an eye exam before children enter school. The bill has to pass the Senate by January 31.

Unilateral Pricing Policies (UPP) - We have learned that 1-800 Contacts will be introducing another bill in 2016 to prevent contact lens manufacturers from establishing a minimum price on their contact lenses. Additionally, 1-800 Contacts has commissioned an independent study of the effects of unilateral pricing policies (UPP) on contact lens prices. We are going to need an all-out effort from doctors and students to explain the real health problems that can occur when contact lenses are purchased on-line and follow-up care is forgone.