Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs Mid-Year Review
The Vision Council’s government relations and regulatory affairs (GR) team of seasoned professionals is actively monitoring and proactively engaging key lawmakers and regulators on issues of the highest priority to the industry, working to ensure a positive business environment for our members.
In the spirit of keeping members informed, The Vision Council is sharing a 2021 mid-year review, including a recap of recent GR news and efforts, as well as the GR team’s insights on what to watch in the upcoming weeks.
Members are encouraged to reach out with any questions.
Federal Affairs Update
Medicare Vision Act
As you may know, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has instructed Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and other Democrats to initiate the budget reconciliation procedural process to move part of President Joe Biden’s “human” infrastructure package.
This will be a separate legislative track from the bipartisan infrastructure package currently being negotiated. To read more on the reconciliation plans, news articles are available from The Hill and Politico.
The Vision Council is tracking these developments closely, as Democrats are considering the inclusion of the Medicare Vision Act, which would expand Medicare Part B to include coverage for vision care. Medicare currently does not cover many vision services, such as everyday eyeglasses and contact lenses. The expansion of Medicare Part B would incorporate vision services including routine eye examinations to determine the refractive state of the eyes, including procedures performed during the course of such examinations and contact fitting services, among other changes.
To read the legislation that The Vision Council worked on with Representatives last Congress, click here.
Timeline
The Medicare Vision Act of 2021 was introduced by Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) last week. The language in the legislation is very similar to the 2019 version, with the exception of an added provision to include low vision devices. At this time, there is no Senate companion bill.
The Vision Council’s Involvement and Next Steps
This Vision Council has been engaging with Congressional leaders on this measure and will continue to do so in the coming weeks. Outreach includes but is not limited to: the offices of Senate Majority Leader Schumer; House Speaker Pelosi; Senator Sanders; Senator Gillibrand; Representative Schrier; Representative Slotkin; and Representative O’Hallaren. Additionally, outreach includes Senators and Members on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, House Energy Committee and Commerce Committee.
The Vision Council is advocating for Congress to pass a vision expansion to Medicare Part B. The Vision Council will continue to inform members on this important policy development. The Vision Council will also alert the membership to call their respective Senators and Members to support the expansion of Medicare Part B, if applicable.
Regulatory Affairs Updates
Proposition 65 Labeling Compliance
Proposed changes are coming to the short form warning under Proposition 65 in California. The Vision Council has signed on to a California Chamber of Commerce letter opposing the changes.
If the proposed changes pass, companies will have one year to comply from adoption date. Please see details here. The Vision Council will continue to update the membership on this issue as it evolves.
China Tariffs
There is no indication that the Biden Administration will seek to provide relief from the Trump tariffs. As a result, members need to be prepared to pay these duties. There is an ongoing case for Tranche 3 and 4. If you plan to file for reimbursement, please see more information here.
Unique Device Identifier (UDI)
A UDI guidance document is expected from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021 on Class One medical devices. The Vision Council will continue to update the membership on this issue as it evolves.
Global Affairs
United Nations (UN)
The Vision Council is proud to participate as a member of the United Nations Friends of Vision. Ambassador Walton Webson (Antigua and Barbuda, Co-chair), Ambassador Byrne Nason (Ireland, Co-chair) and Ambassador Rabab Fatima (Bangladesh, Co-chair) have put forth a resolution, “Vision for Everyone: Accelerating Action to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” for adoption by all UN Member States that recognizes vision as a catalyst to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
If passed, this will mark the first time that vision has been recognized as a solution to so many of the world’s problems. The Vision Council will alert members to the status of the resolution and any opportunities to promote global acknowledgement of vision as a health, economic and sustainability imperative.
GR “Office Hours”
The Vision Council encourages members to maximize their membership by taking advantage of exclusive access to the organization’s government relations and regulatory affairs (GR) team. The GR team is available to assist members with company-specific issues.
Click here to submit an inquiry.
For questions and concerns:
Ashley Mills – CEO
Maureen Beddis – Vice President of Marketing and Membership
Rick Van Arnam – Regulatory Affairs Counsel
Josh Finestone – Federal Affairs Counsel