Advocacy News

The order could tie U.S. prices to the lowest price paid by a select number of developed countries.

A bill expanding optometric scope in West Virginia automatically became law on May 2 when Gov. Patrick Morrisey opted to neither sign nor veto this risk to patient safety.

Stay updated with the latest information on threats to quality eye care in Minnesota.

Georgia House lawmakers passed a nonbinding resolution urging the state’s Departments of Education and Public Health to work together to establish vision and hearing screening programs for school-aged children.

There are more scope bills being considered than ever before, many allowing optometrists to perform surgery after a mere 32-hour training course.  

We acted following member reports of claim denials for dual administration of geographic atrophy and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs.

CMS signaled a willingness to review the request in its Nov. 12 meeting with the Academy and the American Society of Retina Specialists.

The Academy urged large commercial insurers and Medicare Advantage plans to suspend anti-VEGF step therapy requirements in response to Pine Pharmaceuticals discontinuation of repackaged Avastin (bevacizumab).

The Academy is engaging with alternative suppliers and pushing CMS to intervene on Medicare Advantage plan step therapy requirements for Avastin. 

When the state’s legislative session ended on March 9, a proposal to expand optometric surgery and a proposal to mandate costly pediatric eye exams died in the respective committees without a vote, thanks to the tireless work of the West Virginia Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons to connect with and educate state legislators.