AOA warns Utah’s contact lens bill could limit patient purchasing options
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Key takeaways:
- The AOA warns that H.B. 189 would negatively affect patient-doctor relationships.
- An analysis found that the bill would create obstacles to obtaining contacts and potentially hurt small businesses.
A new proposal in Utah could prohibit the purchase of contact lenses from a prescribing eye doctor, according to a press release from the American Optometric Association.
On Jan. 5, state Rep. Jordan Teuscher introduced H.B. 189, which would amend Utah’s content lens statute to prohibit prescribers from selling contact lenses to patients, as well as require additional responsibilities from prescribers.
“I’ve reviewed this proposal and find its flawed approach to be anti-patient and anti-doctor,” William T. Reynolds, OD, AOA advocacy executive committee chair, said in the release. “Our health care system deserves better.”
The bill would require that contact lens prescribers provide information to patients about other brand or manufacturer options and that they document specific patient preferences and information presented during patient-doctor interactions. In addition, the AOA points out that “the bill would prevent specialty contact lens wearers from receiving their lenses within Utah if the bill is passed as written.”
In the release, the AOA cited an analysis by Andrew Stiver, PhD, from the NERA Economic Consulting firm, which found that if the bill is implemented, it would require 38% of current contact lens consumers to find a new way to get their lenses. With 40% of contact lens purchasers reporting a personal relationship with their doctor as the reason they purchase lenses from a private practice and 18% of Utah residents reporting that they do not shop online, this bill could create “challenges” in obtaining contact lenses.
“State Rep. Jordan Teuscher has introduced amendments to Utah’s contact lens retail sales statutes that would shut down prescriber-owned prescription eye wear retail shops,” Stivers wrote. “These amendments would harm competition by removing a significant group of small, locally owned businesses from competing in the marketplace.”
Reference:
- H.B. 189 contact lens purchase amendments. https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/HB0189.html. Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
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