Sen. Susan Collins was recognized for providing important leadership on health care policy issues by doctors of optometry from her state and their national organization, the 34,000 member American Optometric Association (AOA). Optometrists in Maine and the AOA are working to pass legislation before Congress designed to safeguard sight, promote healthy vision among school-aged children and ensure access to much-needed primary eye and vision care.
"Sen. Collins is a true leader in Congress on health care issues," said Kevin Alexander, O.D., Ph.D., AOA president. "She listens to the concerns of doctors and patients from across her state, and is a worthy recipient of the 2008 Health Care Leadership Award."
"I'm proud of Sen. Collins and the work that she's doing in Congress for our communities," said Brad Smith, O.D. of Augusta, ME. "My patients and I know that Sen. Collins is committed to making sure health care is a top priority in Washington, DC and that important bills like the Vision Care for Kids Act are passed and signed into law."
The AOA-backed Vision Care for Kids Act (HR 507) was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on October 16, 2007. The Vision Care for Kids Act would establish a federal grant program aimed at bolstering children's vision and learning initiatives developed by the states. With the help of Sen. Collins, companion legislation to HR 507(S.1117) has been introduced and is now pending before the U.S. Senate.