California Optometric Association Statement on 2017-18 State Budget Release
Sacramento, CA – The California Optometric Association released the following statement from President Dr. Stevin Minie, OD, in response to the Governor’s 2017 – 18 State budget release:
"California’s optometrists have worked hard to expand opportunities for healthy eyes and healthy lives through California’s health care law. Governor Brown’s budget proposal underscores how much is at risk if Californians lose their health care, from our progress in delivering access to vision for California’s kids, to the investments needed to ensure adults have the eyeglasses they need to go to work or school and drive safely.
“If Congress succeeds in repealing the Affordable Care Act without a replacement, five million Californians will likely go without the preventative and primary care necessary to prevent and manage eye-threatening conditions like diabetes, putting many at risk for reduced vision and even blindness. This budget proposal should send a strong message to California’s Congressional Delegation: rather than repeal the ACA without a replacement, Washington DC should be supporting California’s expansion of essential health benefits, including eye care, and supporting our state’s efforts to ensure access to care including bringing provider rates up from near-worst in the nation.”
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Established in 1899, the California Optometric Association is California's oldest organized community for doctors of optometry. Representing doctors of optometry throughout the state, COA is dedicated to support and advance the profession of optometry to assure quality health care for all Californians. Learn more at coavision.org, Facebook.com/CaliforniaOptometric and Twitter.com/COA_Vision.