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AOA House of Delegates votes to defend physician status
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CHICAGO – The American Optometric Association, here at its annual House of Delegates meeting, voted to direct the AOA Board of Trustees “to reaffirm and defend the physician status of optometrists by any and all available means.”
In a separate motion, the delegates also voted to call upon the American Optometric Society to join the AOA “in petitioning U.S. District Judge A. Howard Matz to correct his June 12 order stating that optometrists ‘are not physicians,’ and furthermore, fully and without reservation, affirm and defend the physician status of doctors of optometry.”
The delegates approved three additional resolutions.
In one resolution, the delegates voted that the AOA Board of Trustees may approve the endorsement of entities or programs that may benefit members but not those products, instruments or procedures used in patient care.
A second resolution implemented changes to a prior resolution regarding product endorsements and outside activities of AOA volunteers. Delegates voted to remove language from Resolution 392 prohibiting product endorsement.
A third resolution stated that net profits generated through fees, sponsorships or grants when providing Internet-based continuing education should be shared equally with the AOA and the affiliate of which the optometrist taking the course is an active member.
It was noted that resolutions are not final until approved by the AOA Judicial Council within 90 days.