California’s underserved communities shouldn't have to wait for eye care.
AB 1570 (Low) expands health care access by allowing doctors of optometry to perform routine, minimally invasive procedures after completing additional education, training, and testing.
“After 8 years of University level education and 32 years of military service, I returned to the Central Valley to deliver the eye care my community needs. Making my patients travel hours to see a specialist or expecting them to wait months to be seen isn’t fair or equal, and it isn’t right. Optometrists undergo years of training and education and treat our patients safely. Don’t let politics get in the way of the care our patients desperately need.”
- Jeffrey Garcia, OD in Lemoore, CA
AB 1570 expands health care to Californians by allowing highly trained optometrists to be certified performing minimally invasive eye procedures only after:
Completing an additional 32 hours of education
Passing an independent, nationally recognized exam
Completing additional clinical training
Today, patients are facing long waits for this care because:
California doesn’t have enough ophthalmologists to care for everyone in need, especially in rural areas.
Too few ophthalmologists are willing to treat Medi-Cal patients, creating major bottlenecks in care for one in three Californians served by the safety net. 70% of Medi-Cal patients are people of color.
AB 1570 expands care to Californians,
with a focus on safety and equity.
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ACCESS
Optometrists are accessible virtually everywhere in California, and reflect California’s diversity. The vast majority of eye care in Medi-Cal is performed by highly trained optometrists.
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SAFETY
AB 1570 establishes the most stringent training requirements in the nation for optometrists to be certified to perform minimally invasive procedures like removing skin tags. To maintain certification, optometrists must prove their competency every two years.
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OVERSIGHT
The California Board of Optometry must approve training curriculum and will maintain its strong role in governing optometrists under AB 1570.
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COMMON SENSE
Dozens of other states already allow optometrists to perform minimally invasive procedures, with virtually no complaints.