For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 Contact: Sarah Bascom, sarah@bascomllc.com, 850.294.6636 Celina Parker, celina@bascomllc.com, 850.443.

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FOA Commends Senate Health & Human Services Committee for Passing Senate Bill 278
Legislation Sponsored by Senator Richter Streamlines Delivery of Primary Eye Care & Reduces Cost of Treatment Tallahassee, Fla. The Florida Optometric Association (FOA) today commended the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for passing Senate Bill 278, sponsored by Senator Garrett Richter (R-Naples), to allow for greater access to primary eye care for patients and a significant reduction in costs to both the patients and the state. Senate Bill 278 would align Florida with 47 other states in the nation that have already allowed optometrists to prescribe approved oral medications for the treatment of eye diseases and conditions, and includes provisions to allow for the highest level of patient safety. We are encouraged by the significant support this legislation has received in the Florida Senate, said Ken Lawson, legislative chair for the FOA. This bill is important because it will streamline patient care by ending the unnecessary duplication of services when an optometrist, who is more than qualified to prescribe approved oral medication for the treatment of the eye, must refer their patients to an ophthalmologist, other physician or, in some cases, an emergency room. In addition to improving access to primary eye care, this legislation would also translate into savings to Florida patients and the state. I applaud my fellow lawmakers for realizing the need for passing this important legislation, said Senator Richter. We are facing a health care crisis in our state, and we all know we need more professionals in the medical field who can deliver the primary eye care that patients in Florida, especially those in rural parts of the state, desperately need. During a time when this legislature is focused on health care reform and the need for greater access to quality care, this is a highly-needed and straightforward fix to current law. I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow lawmakers to see the passage of this bill that will be instrumental in providing all Floridians with affordable, quality eye care. To learn more about the FOA, please visit www.floridaeyes.org. ###