Congressional Vision Caucus Co-Chairs Gene Green, David Price and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen sent a "Dear Colleague" letter to Appropriations Chair David Obey and Ranking Member Todd Tiahrt requesting $4.5 million in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vision Health Initiative. This support and leadership will help us at Prevent Blindness America grow this critically important program.
The Vision Health Initiative was created in 2003 to address vision problems in the U.S. by seeking to identify and screen individuals at risk for vision loss. Over the past five years this important initiative has developed programs on the grounds that are identifying vision problems early and link our clients to needed care. The Vision Health Initiative is a model for public/private partnerships that create programs that work and help people most in need.
Prevent Blindness America would like to thank all of our advocates who contacted their Member of Congress regarding this funding request letter. This was the first step in this important process. Be prepared to help us in our next steps. We will be asking for your support soon to ensure your Representatives know how important this program is to you and your community. Thank you in advance as we work together to prevent blindness and preserve sight.
To see a copy of the Dear Colleague Letter, click here.
Vision Care for Kids Act
The U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 577, the Vision Care for Kids Act, on March 31, 2009, and the bill is now in the U.S. Senate. This important legislation provides children with appropriate follow-up care once they have been identified with a potential vision problem through a comprehensive vision exam or vision screening. One in four school-age children has a vision problem significant enough to affect learning. As President Obama recently stated, "No child should be falling behind at school because he can't hear the teacher or see the blackboard..."
Prevent Blindness America applauds our policymakers for their actions to preserve children's vision health through passage of the Vision Care for Kids Act and encourages the U.S. Senate to act quickly on this legislation to preserve and protect children’s sight.
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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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