WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Optometric Society of the District of Columbia passed a resolution on May 7 supporting the inclusion of stand-alone vision plans in the state insurance exchanges being established as a result of health care reform. The resolution specifically states “that The Optometric Society of the District of Columbia strongly advocates, on behalf of the citizens and families of the District of Columbia, the inclusion of stand-alone vision plans in the Health Benefit Exchange.”

The resolution cites the following facts: “Currently, 85 million Americans are enrolled in vision benefits of which 72 percent are stand-alone vision plans,” and “It has been demonstrated that children whose parents have stand-alone vision plan coverage are two times more likely to get a comprehensive eye examination.” The resolution also states, “Thousands of children currently insured by stand-alone vision care plans in the District of Columbia will potentially have their doctor-patient relationship disrupted if stand-alone vision plans are excluded from the Health Benefit Exchange.”

Stephen L. Glasser, OD, FAAO, vice president of the Optometric Society of D.C., told VMail that the organization’s board passed the resolution unanimously, and there was only one undecided vote among the entire membership. He explained the next steps to VMail: “The resolution is going to be sent to the D.C. Mayor’s office, to the chairman of the The Committee on Health, to the director of the Department of Health in D.C., to the D.C. Board of Optometry, and to Eleanor Holmes Norton, who is our representative in Congress, requesting that it be made part of legislation.”