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PBA shares message of prevention in Washington
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CHICAGO — Prevent Blindness America advocated for prevention strategies during its recent "Eyes on Capitol Hill" event in Washington.
According to a Prevent Blindness America (PBA) press release, the program aims to provide vision health advocates the opportunity to meet with congressional policymakers to discuss the importance of eye and vision services and funding.
The events kicked off with the PBA Congressional Call-In Day, during which advocates called their members of Congress to ask for their support and commitment to sight-saving programs as they engage in federal funding appropriations, while PBA volunteer leadership, staff and representatives conducted face-to-face meetings with Congressional leaders, among them House Speaker John Boehner, the release said.
"During these challenging economic times, we recognize that our elected leaders are faced with tough choices," Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America, said in the release. "Our message to them is that prevention of eye disorders and vision problems is not only a sight-saving strategy, but a cost-saving one as well; particularly considering the annual cost of adult vision disorders in this country is approximately $51 billion."