As part of its federal public policy and advocacy efforts, Prevent Blindness America recently increased its involvement in – and leadership of – the vision and eye care community by convening a meeting of the nation’s leading vision-related organizations to discuss public policy issues of mutual interest and priority. Held just outside Washington, DC in December, the meeting involved representatives from Prevent Blindness America staff and our new Washington, DC government relations firm, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (DBR); the American Academy of Ophthalmology; American Foundation for the Blind; American Optometric Association; Lighthouse International; National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research; and The Vision Council.
Meeting participants each gave an update on their respective organization’s 2008 work and discussed their public policy priorities for the coming year. During that information exchange, a number of key overlapping areas and concerns were identified, including ensuring that eye and vision care and services are included – and recognized – in the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), as well as, incorporated in any efforts to reform the nation’s health care system. An immediate action item stemming from the meeting was for Prevent Blindness America to circulate a letter for sign-on from all seven national organizations to members of the Senate Finance Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee calling upon them to "ensure that children across America have access to the services they need and deserve, including screening and examinations for early detection and treatment of preventable eye diseases."
House SCHIP Sign On Letter
Senate SCHIP Sign On Letter
In addition, meeting participants agreed to work collaboratively to develop a statement of principles and provisions around which the vision community has consensus and can collectively advocate to Capitol Hill and the Obama Administration. The final document will be disseminated to key Congressional offices, shared with Obama Administration officials, and utilized to prioritize vision community activities for 2009. Prevent Blindness America is pleased to bring its resources to bear in spearheading this important undertaking and thanks its vision community allies for their interest and participation.
As part of this coalition of vision advocates, PBA continues to support The Vision Care for Kids Act 2009: S. 259 which was introduced by Senator Christopher Bond and H. 577 which was introduced by Representative Gene Green. Prevent Blindness America sent letters to Senator Bond and Representative Green on January 22, 2009 thanking them for their continued leadership and commitments to ensuring that our nation’s children have access to the vision care they need.
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Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, divisions and chapters, it's committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020.
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