This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Vision care legislation introduced in Congress targets uninsured children
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
WASHINGTON — Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that would address undiagnosed and untreated vision disorders in children.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology said the Vision Care for Kids Act of 2009 is a measure that would complement states' efforts to provide vision screening for uninsured children, according to an AAO news release.
"This measure would be a major milestone in partnership with the states to address the vision needs of our nation's uninsured children," Michael X. Repka, MD, AAO secretary for federal affairs, said in the release. "The Academy is pleased that this legislation has attracted bipartisan support, with all recognizing the importance of the measure."
The bill's sponsors include Sens. Christopher "Kit" Bond, R-Mo., and Christopher Dodd, D-Conn. If passed and signed into law, the Vision Care for Kids Act would provide $65 million in funding over 5 years for state grants for comprehensive eye examinations and treatment for uninsured children who fail vision screening exams.
"Particularly in these tough economic times, this legislation would provide states with incentives for current screening efforts to help uninsured children receive the follow-up treatment that they need for their vision problems," Catherine G. Cohen, AAO vice president for governmental affairs, said in the release.