Regulatory/Legislative News

The Mississippi Senate passed a House bill that expanded the scope of practice for optometrists in the state, including the ability to prescribe certain medications and perform specific procedures.

California’s Department of Consumer Affairs approved a public health emergency waiver that will allow optometrists to administer COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to vaccinate 40 million Californians, the California Optometric Association reported in a release.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., is taking executive actions “to restore and strengthen Americans’ access to quality, affordable health care,” according to a statement from the White House.

President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Jan. 25 issued an executive order that allows transgender men and women to serve in the military again.

Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams, MD, has stepped down from his position after being asked to do so by the staff of President Joseph R. Biden Jr., according to the surgeon general’s Twitter account.

Several pharmacy associations applauded a recent Supreme Court decision regarding how much pharmacy benefit managers reimburse pharmacies for the cost of drugs covered by employer-sponsored health plans.

The AOA is supporting a bill that would stop pending Medicare payment cuts to optometrists and other medical specialists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations requested that the Federal Trade Commission delay the effective date for the Contact Lens Rule until March 31, 2021.

President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. announced key members of his health team today — individuals he called “trusted, accomplished” and “ready from day one” to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court tomorrow, Oct. 22.