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2007 Legislative Priorities

Board of Optometry – Streamline the Optometry Statutes.

The Minnesota Optometry Statutes were first written in 1901. There were significant revisions in 1926. Since that time, language was added to the existing framework. Currently, Optometrists must receive separate certification to use dilating eye drops and another separate certification to prescribe medications to treat eye conditions. The Board of Optometry is introducing legislation to consolidate DPA and TPA certification into the regular optometric license. The legislation also includes other language to better define the practice of optometry, allow for licensure by endorsement, and bring the board’s disciplinary process into line with other licensing boards. The MOA supports this effort.

Children’s Health Security Act.

Access to primary care is critical for our children. Optometrists recognize the critical link between vision and learning – 80% of learning is visual. Despite that, 83% of children have not received an eye exam before the age of twelve and 1 in 4 of these same children have an undiagnosed eye condition. We also know that uninsured children are at higher risk.

The MOA supports legislation that does the following:

Reduce the number of uninsured children
Looks toward consolidating public programs into a model that more closely reflects the private market.
Does not put further pressures on cost shifting to private pay patients.
Promotes regular eye care for all children

MinnesotaCare Limited Benefit.

Since 2003 the MOA has worked with the legislature, administration and health plans to restore cuts made to this program. This program has created access barriers to primary care services such as needed eyecare for diabetic patients and patients with glaucoma. Money has been available in the Access Fund to restore these cuts and it is past time to do this. We must look for ways to create fewer public programs that promote primary care rather than create more variations that create more administrative burdens.