Since you’re reading this, the Mayans were wrong – the world didn’t end on 12/21/12. Amazing how many disasters we prepare for that never occur ... anyone remember Y2K?
Well, 2012 was an interesting and fruitful chapter; we once again stopped an unnecessary and predatory bill – HB 838, the Definition of Ophthalmic Surgery. HB 838 was a bill directly targeted against our profession and an attempt to “freeze” our profession’s normal evolution; an attempt to hold us to practicing 2012 optometry ad infinitum. We have been obligated to hold this defensive positioning over the last three legislative sessions – six years.
This legislative session was different from the previous two sessions, though, in two ways. First, the bill (HB 838) was passed in the House, primarily due to its being misrepresented as a compromised bill between optometry and ophthalmology. This was never the case – we never agreed with this bill’s language or intent. Second, it served as an impetus for restructuring our legislative team. In so doing, we were able to retain this bill in the Senate’s Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and prevent its coming to a contentious vote. This of course did not occur without a lot of work and unity within our volunteer structure ... we owe a number of our colleagues a hearty “pat on the back.”
Under Dr. Donna Buraczewski’s handling of the helm, we need (and want) to acknowledge the diligent work of four of our past presidents: Drs. Bob Bittel, Greg Caldwell, Dan Russell and our executive director Charles Stuckey. They are excellent role models of optometrists who are dedicated to their profession; each has already served an eight-year commitment by serving on the POA’s Board of Directors. Yet, when they saw the need for their leadership experience in addressing our legislative needs, they stepped forward. Dr. Bob Bittel restructured our legislative team, and he, along with Dr. Dan Russell, met with representatives from ophthalmology on several occasions and repeatedly clarified that this bill was unacceptable and unnecessary. Dr. Greg Caldwell did a stellar job of soliciting the necessary POPAC funds to allow POA to support our legislators’ fundraisers and campaigns. An additional key component to our success was the addition of the lobbying firm of Long Nyquist & Associates to augment Ted Mowatt’s and Rick Robb’s representation to our legislators.
As Dr. Buraczewski noted in her last editorial, additional accolades are extended to our Diabetic Task Force and their work with the Pennsylvania Diabetic Eye Health Alliance. (Make sure you sign up, if you haven’t already done this.) Our Third Party Center should be noted for their endless work on assuring our inclusion and parity in our third party plans. Dr. Caldwell is serving as the AOA liaison for the TPC. Dr. Stuckey serves on the board for PAeHI to assure that optometry will be included in the link with the ACA and EHRs. All your POA Board members are working hard to assure that our profession progresses within their designated divisions. Kudos to all our colleagues who have been serving as keypersons for their legislators and all those who have been attending fundraisers and meeting with their legislators. I could continue at length but that would fill this section without providing any insight into what’s up for 2013.
Extinguishing professional “brush fires” has grown old. With the input of our membership, I will direct this reenergized volunteerism in a forward direction towards our expressed common goals. Make sure that you are active and attend our House of Delegates so your voice is heard. I want to recruit our non-active members into active service – just paying dues does not magically accomplish desired goals, it also requires involvement. And what better way to add value to your membership than being involved in the programming of your professional association? We will need to earn our future scope enhancements. We have only six individuals on our POA staff to serve over 1,200 members. Despite their hard work, they need the help of our volunteer structure; be an active member, not a bench warmer ... support our POA and POPAC funding.
This year, we will also focus on motorist vision and be hosting an inter-professional conference on March 24 at the Radisson Penn Harris in Camp Hill. I have served on PennDOT’s Medical Advisory Board for 20 years and feel that now is the time to pursue mandated periodic vision testing for license renewals. Pennsylvania is one of only 10 states that don’t require periodic vision testing, and we have the second highest density of older drivers, second only to Florida. There are approximately 1.8 million drivers in our state over 65 years of age. We realize the merits of periodic inspection of our vehicles; why don’t we follow this same logic for their executive operators?
At our Annual Congress in Lancaster (May 17-19), we will be offering a leadership course along with our CE program. This will be on my “home turf,” so I assure you that this event will be a lot of fun and well worth a visit. And, yes, one of my favorite Amish men will be visiting to discuss their culture and customs. Plan ahead for the AOA conference in San Diego on June 26 -30 and the AOA Congressional Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., on September 7-12. Finally, our Fall Conference will be held November 23-24 at the Hershey Lodge. Mark you calendars – it will be a busy year. Let’s work hard and have some FUN!!
Happy New Year ... take that you Mayanophiles!
Robert L. Owens, O.D., F.A.A.O.
President
Pennsylvania Optometric Association
http://www.poaeyes.org/
