Expand Access to Eye and Vision Care and End the Exclusion of ODs from National Health Service Corps programs: Co-sponsors Needed for HR 1884
The AOA has endorsed HR 1884, the National Health Service Corps Improvement Act of 2009, introduced by Representatives Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Joe Pitts (R-PA). HR 1884 is aimed at expanding access to eye and vision care in medically underserved communities across
This bipartisan bill will end the misguided exclusion of doctors of optometry from the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) student loan repayment and scholarship programs. The NHSC provides loan forgiveness and incentives to attract providers to health professional shortage areas. The legislation seeks to build on this successful incentive program to develop new links between highly qualified doctors of optometry and communities in rural and urban areas with limited access to eye and vision services.
Without a sufficient number of Congressional co-sponsors on HR 1884, eye and vision access legislation will not be considered a priority for the 111th Congress. Please contact your Representative and ask him or her to co-sponsor HR 1884.