Can Our Rights Disappear Overnight?

Imagine waking up one morning to find that your legal right to prescribe glaucoma eye drops had vanished without your prior knowledge or input. Sounds absurd, right? Well, this scenario can absolutely occur in our profession. Optometry is subject to legislation that we may not approve of or even know about. But that is why the American Optometric Association Political Action Committee (AOA-PAC) and the state optometric societies fight on our behalf to ensure that we can practice to the greatest extent of the law.

PROTECTING OUR SCOPE

Each state has a grassroots committee that enables optometrists to thrive. Optometrists, known as key people, work behind the scenes and are in direct contact with legislators to explain exactly what we do. This is important because these legislators dictate how we can and cannot practice, so it is prudent that they know how important we are to eye care and public health overall. Key people are vital to our profession.

The only way to continue to push our scope of practice forward is through the legislature. If a new scope bill pops up, it is best for legislators to call us, the optometrists, when they have questions. This highlights a major reason why key people are so important. Say a new bill that limits the scope of optometry and opticianry is introduced, and the state legislature plans to vote on the bill ASAP. The legislators should know exactly who to call and ask about this new bill (their optometry key person) because they've already formed a relationship. A sudden bill wouldn’t happen though, right? Actually, it can.

OUTSIDE FORCES

Recently, the National Association of Optometrists and Opticians (NAOO) attempted to insert language regarding opticians into an existing bill, HB911, that addressed unrelated regulatory issues, such as a clarification on leases and permits for rentals and the use of automatic sprinklers in family dwellings in North Carolina.¹ The addition from the NAOO sought to change the optician license requirements and reduce patient protections for residents of the state. The NAOO is not associated with the AOA, and the AOA has requested a federal inquiry into the NAOO's deceptive representation.² The NAOO's website shows that it is comprised of various corporations as investors.

Fortunately, the North Carolina Optometry Society (NCOS) was alerted almost immediately by one of the legislators that a bill was introduced involving the optical profession. The NCOS legislative committee worked with local opticians to determine the effect this legislation would have on eye care professionals. Optometry key people contacted their legislators via email, phone, or text within 1 day to make sure the legislators knew that the language introduced by the NAOO was not supported by individuals in our profession, which ultimately led to its removal from the original bill. The NCOS, working alongside professionals in ophthalmology and opticianry, was able to help stop this bill before it went up for vote. Lobbying groups such as the NAOO sometimes try to “sneak” small additions into an otherwise mundane bill, hoping legislators won’t read the full details before they sign it into action. This is why optometrists must be proactive in their contact with legislators.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Optometrists in every state have the opportunity to get involved, at least in some small way, to help continue to push our scope forward. Eight states currently allow licensed laser use for optometrists.³ Do you know how they did it? Their state optometry societies came together and worked hard to ensure every legislator knew exactly what optometrists do and why we are such an enormous asset. The key takeaway here is that every legislator in every state needs an optometrist they can get in touch with within a few minutes for information and guidance.

So, how can you help? Consider the options below, even if you do not have much time.

Donate to Your State PAC and to the AOA as Often as You Can

In 2019 Darryl Glover, OD, and I started “PAC Match Your Age” in North Carolina as part of the North Carolina leadership program we completed (Figure). “PAC Match Your Age” is an ask to contribute the dollar amount of your age to your state PAC. If you are a seasoned doctor practicing for more than 10 years, we ask you to PAC-match double your age per month.

Volunteer Your Time

Even once or twice a year is helpful and enables you to get to know the candidates. Then when they win, they will be grateful for your support and save your number in case an optometry-related question arises. They may even come see you as a patient, so it’s also a great practice-builder.

Become an Expert for Your State Society

Ask your state society if you can be placed on a contact list for input and expertise. For example, when the society is trying to oppose a bill, you can serve as a resource by addressing aspects of the bill that do not have your support.

Attend Your State Optometry Legislative Day

These usually occur annually, so block one clinic day per year. On these days, you get to meet your colleagues at the state capital and speak in-person with legislators.

If you feel inspired to take on a larger role in policymaking, see Get More Involved.

CALL TO ACTION

Optometry needs our help to continue to expand our scope of practice and to fight for our current rights. As you read above, outside lobbying groups are actively trying to limit and, in some cases, take away optometry and opticianry rights. We need everyone to work together at the state level to ensure our profession continues to thrive.