The Vision Preservation Act, Prevent Blindness America’s priority legislation through the 109th and 110th Congresses, was introduced in the Senate on September 22 by Senator Chris Dodd and co-sponsored by Senator George Voinovich. This introduction marks a significant achievement and milestone for PBA in its legislative efforts to raise awareness about vision loss and prevention.
Below is the statement from Senator Dodd as he introduced S. 3534:
Unsurprisingly, "The Economic Impact of Vision Problems: The Toll of Major Adult Eye Disorders, Visual Impairment, and Blindness on the U.S. Economy," a study conducted by Prevent Blindness America, reveals that vision loss carries significant cost to individuals, private insurers, health care providers, and the Federal government. The study indicates that the direct and indirect costs of vision loss among adults are $51.4 billion. And over a lifetime, the cost for just one person dealing with this terrible condition is $566,000. The lifetime costs associated with just those Americans born with vision loss in 2000 is $2.5 billion.
But what makes vision loss even more tragic is that half of all blindness is preventable if action is taken soon enough. There are many health and financial challenges our nation is facing that we may just have to weather. But here is one we can do something about--and we should. That is why Sen. Voinovich and I are introducing the Vision Preservation Act. This legislation would improve and strengthen important public health programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA. Specifically, it would expand existing public education and awareness efforts to empower Americans to do what is necessary to protect their own vision. This legislation would also incorporate vision screening, prevention, and rehabilitation into the Maternal and Child Health Block Grants and the Community Health Centers so low income Americans who are most likely to go without needed prevention and screening can be alerted to the early warning signs of vision loss. It would improve the training and education of health professionals so that they are better prepared to help their patients identify and deal with conditions that could lead to vision loss.
These are simple steps that we in the Senate can take to help make sure that millions of Americans can live without fear of losing their sight. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this legislation.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill and a letter of support be printed in the Record.
Thank you to all our vision advocates for your efforts over the years, and a special thanks to Prevent Blindness Ohio for securing our Republican co-sponsor, Senator Voinovich. We look forward to future success for the Vision Preservation Act in the 111th Congress.
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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