AOA and the Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services (AFOS) continue fighting for greater access to the eye and vision care that America's veterans need and deserve.

While doctors of optometry provide roughly two-thirds of essential primary and medical eye care services at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department continues to face difficulties recruiting and retaining the doctors of optometry it needs to keep up with growing veteran demand.

VA policy leaders agree that the statutory pay scale and pay cap are major factors in the unfolding optometry recruitment and retention crisis. In fact, the current pay situation has led to a number of chronically vacant optometry slots at VA facilities across the country and, as a result, less overall access to the eye care veterans want and need.

To help solve these problems, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371), which is backed by the AOA and more than two dozen veteran advocacy organizations, would move VA doctors of optometry to the physician pay scale, allowing for market-based pay analysis in determining salaries that are more competitive and flexible in both rural and urban settings. The bill would also increase the salary cap for doctors of optometry, helping to retain experienced providers and make VA a more attractive career option.

Urge your U.S. Senators to take action today!

Questions? Contact AOA staff.