National Issues that Affect Optometrists
Let's talk about a national issue that affects us as optometry students. First, by way of background, I am a fourth year student serving as the AOSA student representative on the AOA Federal Relations Committee (FRC). The committee is comprised of optometrists from various facets of optometry. The FRC’s purpose is to develop AOA positions and action steps for federal legislation and policy changes that pertain to the profession of optometry.
As students, the concept of loan repayment for our education is an important consideration. HR 1884 is a bill that would add optometrists to the list of professions that are eligible for student loan repayment and scholarship programs from the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). In 2002 Congress restructured the NHSC loan repayment program and optometrists were removed as eligible providers. This AOA priority legislation would enable optometry graduates to get loan repayment in exchange for practicing in community health centers in underserved and rural areas. The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Joe Pitts (R-PA) but to date, it hasn’t received enough sponsorship to be seriously considered by Congress. So . . . until more Representatives show their support and co-sponsor the bill, HR 1884 won’t become a law.
So how can you make a difference? Get involved! I am sure that this concept has been hammered into your heads just like E=MC2, ACA=convergence demand + near phoria - distance phoria/stimulus to acc., or f=1/D. The more we as students get involved with the legislative issues that affect our profession, the better off our profession is going to be. As former Vice President Dan Quayle once said, “the future will be better tomorrow” and “a low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls.” The future of our profession is up to us. Whether you realize it or not, our profession is intertwined with legislative policies set forth by lawmakers.
So how can you get involved? Simple, ask your AOA-PAC liaison what you can do to help. Also ask them about the upcoming Congressional Conference in Washington DC or talk with someone who went to the conference last year. This is a great opportunity to be an active advocate.
Take the initiative to set up a meeting between a few of your fellow classmates and a legislator in your state. Specifically, it would be great to have a member of Congress visit with you at your College of Optometry or Eye Clinic to view first hand the profession and your exceptional clinical education and training. Before your meeting visit the AOA’s website and click on the link for federal advocacy to find background information on the issues you want to discuss. You can also talk to your local AOA-PAC liaison to gather this information or the AOA Washington Office can coach you on setting this up and provide talking points for specific issues. Dress professionally and give the legislator the proper respect. As a constituent, the Senator or Representative will be interested in what you, as a student have to say. Unless they really don’t care to be re-elected, which is highly unlikely.
Some legislators really don’t know the importance of the services we provide or that we are the nation’s frontline providers of eye and vision care. Spend time informing your legislator about your training, education, and experience. Tell stories about patients you have seen or observed who developed edema and neo from over wearing their contacts. Then talk about how contacts are a medical device and the importance of contact lens regulations (Remember our friend- HIPAA). Tell your legislator about increasing tuition costs, technical advances in clinical training and education, and your anticipated debt load when you graduate. Subsequently discuss the importance of optometrists’ inclusion in the National Health Services Corp and improving care to the underserved. There is really a plethora of issues and subjects you can discuss with the legislator. Just relax and remember that legislators are people too. Outside of Rep. John Boozman (R-AR), who is an optometrist, you are the optometric expert when communicating with your legislator, so educate to advocate.
The bottom line is to get involved because the future of YOUR profession depends on it.