Health News
On Thursday, ophthalmologists voiced their displeasure, saying they believe rules were broken in passing the bill. The bill should have been heard by the Health and Welfare committees, not the licensing committees, they say. "We hope that someone in the House (which now has the bill) will appeal for this to be corrected and ... sent to the proper committee so that the facts can be heard," said Woodford Van Meter, president of the Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.
- Regulations Allowing Optometrists To Use Lasers Pass; Opponents May Sue For Violation Of Open Meetings Act
Though ophthalmologists and the Kentucky Medical Association strongly objected, a legislative committee passed regulations Tuesday that will allow optometrists to perform some eye surgeries using lasers. In answer, opponents says "they might file legal...
- Optometrists, Ophthalmologists Renew Battle Over Optometrists' Ability To Perform Medical Procedures
Ophthalmologists renewed their fight yesterday against new rules "that would allow optometrists to perform more complex procedures that critics say will endanger patients," Mike Wynn of The Courier-Journal reports. The Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners...
- New Kentucky Optometry Law Prompting Legislators In Other States To Consider Same Or Similar Changes
Now that Kentucky lawmakers have allowed optometrists to expand their scope of care, legislators in Nebraska, South Carolina and Texas may follow suit. They are looking at legislation that would allow optometrists to perform minor surgeries that...
- Beshear Signs First Bill Of Session; Optometrists Will Benefit
Gov. Steve Beshear has signed legislation that will significantly increase the scope of care optometrists can provide, making it the first bill to become law in this session of the General Assembly. "Access to quality health care is a critical issue...
- Senate Quickly Passes Bill To Allow Optometrists To Perform Minor Surgical Procedures; Ophthalmologists Say That Would Be Risky
"The Senate approved a bill Friday to allow optometrists to perform some surgical procedures on the eye and eyelid, brushing aside warnings from medical doctors who said optometrists are not qualified and could harm surgical patients," John Cheves reports...
Health News
Optometrists' well-financed bill is first to clear General Assembly
The bill that would significantly increase the care optometrists can provide passed the House Friday morning by a 81-14 vote. The bill, which now heads to Gov. Steve Beshear's desk, is the first this session to clear both houses of the General Assembly, The Courier-Journal's Tom Loftus reports.
Since it was filed Feb. 7, Senate Bill 110 has been cause for controversy, in part because of its speedy passage. It passed the full Senate last week, passed the House Licensing and Occupations Committee Wednesday and was voted on by the full House this morning. Loftus notes that optometrists have made more than $400,000 in campaign contributions to legislators and Gov. Steve Beshear in the past two years.
The bill allows optometrists, who do not attend medical school, to perform more types of procedures, most notably one that uses a laser to fix complications that can arise from cataract surgery. Only optometrists in Oklahoma are likewise allowed to use lasers while treating their patients; in every other state, only ophthalmologists -- medical doctors trained to perform eye surgeries -- can. The bill also allows optometrists to prescribe certain drugs and lets the state Board of Optometric Examiners define what procedures optometrists can legally perform.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo and Senate Majority Floor Leader Robert Stivers, the bill's sponsor, disagreed, saying the bill affects the licensing of optometrists. Ophthalmologists note the Senate and House rules say the health committees have "general jurisdiction" over "matters pertaining to ... optometrists." (Read more)
- Regulations Allowing Optometrists To Use Lasers Pass; Opponents May Sue For Violation Of Open Meetings Act
Though ophthalmologists and the Kentucky Medical Association strongly objected, a legislative committee passed regulations Tuesday that will allow optometrists to perform some eye surgeries using lasers. In answer, opponents says "they might file legal...
- Optometrists, Ophthalmologists Renew Battle Over Optometrists' Ability To Perform Medical Procedures
Ophthalmologists renewed their fight yesterday against new rules "that would allow optometrists to perform more complex procedures that critics say will endanger patients," Mike Wynn of The Courier-Journal reports. The Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners...
- New Kentucky Optometry Law Prompting Legislators In Other States To Consider Same Or Similar Changes
Now that Kentucky lawmakers have allowed optometrists to expand their scope of care, legislators in Nebraska, South Carolina and Texas may follow suit. They are looking at legislation that would allow optometrists to perform minor surgeries that...
- Beshear Signs First Bill Of Session; Optometrists Will Benefit
Gov. Steve Beshear has signed legislation that will significantly increase the scope of care optometrists can provide, making it the first bill to become law in this session of the General Assembly. "Access to quality health care is a critical issue...
- Senate Quickly Passes Bill To Allow Optometrists To Perform Minor Surgical Procedures; Ophthalmologists Say That Would Be Risky
"The Senate approved a bill Friday to allow optometrists to perform some surgical procedures on the eye and eyelid, brushing aside warnings from medical doctors who said optometrists are not qualified and could harm surgical patients," John Cheves reports...