President Obama Signs Final Elements of Health Care Reform

Today, President Obama signed the final elements of health care reform into law. This historic legislation included a number of important provisions that impact vision and eye health. "This is truly an historic day," said Hugh Parry, Prevent Blindness America’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "Prevent Blindness America is pleased that the hard work of Senator Kay Hagan and our advocates at Prevent Blindness North Carolina resulted in the addition of vision health care services to those provided in the school-based health clinics program. This is a significant victory for the vision and eye health for our nation’s students and remains unchanged with the submitted amendment.”

Senator Hagan’s amendment combined with the amendment of Senator Bernie Sanders that vision is an an essential health benefit within pediatric services works to bridge the gap in vision and eye health services for children across the county. Prevent Blindness America stands ready to promote and encourage children and their families to access important vision and eye health services.

During this discussion of health care reform Prevent Blindness America has focused on the critical importance of integrating vision and eye health into the core of health care system. It is heartening that the health reform law provides children the essential vision and eye care services whether it be in school or in their communities. We now urge Congress to appropriate funds to support the important work of expanding vision and eye health services to all adult and children in the US.

Thanks to everyone who shared your stories and encouraged Congress to ensure health care reform included vision and eye health services.

Andrea Densham