Video & Transcript Research : 'ophthalmologist'
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AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Ways and Means Education
Keywords:
workers' compensation, public education, employee injury, insurance trust fund, on-the-job injury, administrative procedures, HB176, Alabama sales tax, use tax, sales and use tax exemption, optical aids, eyeglasses, contact lenses, prescription glasses, vision care, optometrist, ophthalmologist, optician, medical devices, local option tax exemption
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Feb 26th, 2025
Public Safety and Homeland Security
Keywords:
law enforcement, retirement benefits, Alabama Peace Officers, agency-issued badge, agency-issued pistol, resisting arrest, custody, public safety, Alabama law, traffic infractions, traffic ticket, disposition, criminal contempt, vessel registration, boating fees, state funds, regulatory changes, water safety, compliance, false information
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Mar 18th, 2026
Ways and Means Education
Bills:
HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390, HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390
Keywords:
liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, SNAP, food assistance, public assistance, income standards, Department of Human Resources, eligibility, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Finance and Taxation Education
Keywords:
rural health, hospital funding, tax credits, qualified donations, Alabama Department of Revenue, HB273, Hunger-Free Campus Act, hunger free campus, food insecurity, college hunger, student hunger, campus pantry, food pantry, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, basic needs, student food assistance, meal vouchers, meal credits, food vouchers
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 20, 2025 - 02:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing no further. ...ophthalmologists as well.
- stated, as far as ophthalmologists in Florida.
- Maybe the ophthalmologist doesn't perform the YAG laser procedure.
- Three years ago, we had a work group that had some ophthalmologists.
- I, thank God, have not needed to go to an ophthalmologist yet.
Summary:
The subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up five health-related bills. HB 1089, which would add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to Florida’s newborn screening panel, was presented as a way to enable earlier diagnosis and treatment; a pediatric neurologist from Nemours testified in support, noting existing FDA-approved therapies and ongoing clinical trials. After supportive debate, the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably.
HB 1083 would standardize patient access to medical records by setting deadlines for providers to produce or allow inspection of records and requiring electronic delivery when available. Supporters said it would reduce delays in care and costs, while two industry groups appeared in opposition. Members from both parties spoke in favor, and the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1297, which aligns Florida’s electronic prescribing rules more closely with federal law and removes some state exceptions, drew opposition from physicians who argued paper prescriptions are still needed for emergencies, shortages, and price shopping. The sponsor said the bill’s goals were patient safety, fraud prevention, and efficiency; despite concerns, it passed 18-0 and was reported favorably.
The committee then considered PCS for HB 1421, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which would create a statewide blood clot and pulmonary embolism registry, require hospital reporting and risk-assessment policies, and expand training requirements in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. The bill was presented with emotional testimony from Emily Adkins’ parents, who urged support and co-sponsorship in her memory. Members from both parties praised the family’s advocacy, and the PCS passed 18-0 and was reported favorably.
Finally, HB 449 on optometry would expand optometrists’ authority to prescribe certain medications and perform specified laser and non-laser eye procedures after certification. The bill and amendment drew strong opposition from ophthalmologists and their association, who raised patient-safety, training, and delegation concerns, while optometrists argued the bill would improve access, especially in rural areas and counties without ophthalmologists. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended passed on a recorded vote and was reported favorably.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- That leaves around 10 ophthalmologists for the rest of the state.
- They also have to travel distances to get to an ophthalmologist.
- Between optometrists and ophthalmologists.
- Is there anywhere that says I have to see the ophthalmologist?
- . ...to get an appointment to see an ophthalmologist.
Summary:
The House began with several announcements and recognitions, including a lengthy tribute to Representative Carolyn Brangan of Georgia on her retirement and years of service, followed by remarks from Brangan explaining that she is leaving to care for her husband during cancer treatment. Additional members offered brief reflections, including one on the end of the session and another welcoming students from Founders Memorial School to the gallery, and a member from Brattleboro highlighted a collaborative mural in the card room titled “These Green Hills, Vermont State Symbols and Personal Reflections.”
The body then took up its calendar. It adopted Joint House Resolution 12, authorizing limited remote voting in joint committees through the remainder of the calendar year, with an ADA-related accommodation for members physically present but unable to access a meeting room. The House also suspended rules to take up and concur in the Senate amendment to House Bill 935 on emergency management. The committee report described grant programs for emergency response and technical rescue, new definitions and shelter-planning language centered on “whole community,” a wildland fire response task force, and an emergency rulemaking provision requested by the Agency of Natural Resources; the committee approved the Senate proposal on an 8-3 straw poll, and the House concurred.
The House next adopted the conference committee report on House Bill 952, the capital construction and state bonding budget adjustment bill. The report explained changes made in conference, including shifting funds to cover a higher-than-expected bid for the St. Johnsbury facility, restoring some funding for maintenance at the women’s correctional facility in Chittenden County, and setting aside $750,000 toward planning for Wi-Fi installation in correctional facilities. It also noted a lease-related language change for a Vermont Huts project at Little River State Park, with notification to the institutions committee chairs. The House then took up Senate Bill 64 on optometrists’ scope of practice; the committee presentation supported allowing specially credentialed optometrists to perform certain minor surgical, laser, and injection procedures, citing improved access, safety, cost, and workforce development, and the bill was read for second reading with committee recommendations for concurrence.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Even among ophthalmologists.
- Ophthalmologists would provide it. None has been presented.
- While optometrists and ophthalmologists work shoulder-to-shoulder, every day in practice, the ophthalmologist
- I'm a comprehensive ophthalmologist who practices in Minneapolis.
- The State Board of Ophthalmologists...
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 02/25/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- He referred me to a neuro-ophthalmologist at the University of Minnesota, Dr.
- I think you want to see an ophthalmologist.”
- At that point, I was persuaded that the ophthalmologists were right.
- So folks can live within 30 miles of an ophthalmologist, but is that ophthalmologist able to see them
- So folks can live within 30 miles of an ophthalmologist, but is that ophthalmologist able to see them
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- That’s a great example that you’re using regarding the ophthalmologists.
- The ophthalmologist is a separate... ...to opticians who delegate.
- At least the ophthalmologists and the optometrists tell me that.
- In your bill, does it impact the delegation authority of an ophthalmologist or an optometrist?
- It does not affect the delegation authority of an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Thank you.
Summary:
The Health Policy Committee heard and advanced several health-related bills. SB 1546 on background screening for athletic coaches was explained as another extension of the deadline for coaches to be added to the background screening clearinghouse; it passed favorably with support from athletic and youth sports organizations. SB 958 on type 1 diabetes early detection was amended to match the House version, requiring the Department of Health to provide school districts, school boards, and charter schools with informational materials for parents; it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. CS/SB 1070 on electrocardiograms for student athletes drew extensive discussion about sudden cardiac arrest prevention, implementation timelines, costs, funding through private and public sources, and whether insurance, KidCare, or Medicaid should cover screenings; after supportive testimony from school and athletic groups, it was reported favorably as a committee substitute.
The committee also heard SB 1060, which would create a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid managed care to review encounter data, financials, audits, and rebate calculations with assistance from an actuary and the Auditor General. The sponsor and several senators framed it as a transparency and verification measure in response to large mid-year Medicaid funding increases and concerns about network adequacy and vertical integration; it passed favorably. CS/SB 944, which shortens the insurer overpayment recovery look-back period for claims involving psychologists from 30 months to 12 months, also passed favorably with support from the Florida Psychological Association. SB 1370, moving ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute rather than under hospital licensure provisions, was supported by surgery center representatives and reported favorably.
The committee approved SB 768, as amended, to narrow the foreign-country-of-concern licensure attestation for health care entities to direct controlling interests and clarify the “reasonable efforts” standard; it passed after questions about how the standard would work in practice. SB 1544 on opticianry prompted significant debate over whether the bill would limit nonlicensed staff in ophthalmology and optometry settings; after a proposed amendment was withdrawn and multiple witnesses spoke both for and against, the bill was temporarily postponed. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to SB 1808 requiring health care practitioners and facilities to refund patient overpayments within 30 days, with enforcement through AHCA fines or professional discipline, and then reported the bill favorably.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- They now have 12 ophthalmologists coming through the pipeline to become ophthalmologists who are likely
- This proposal does not replace ophthalmologists.
- This proposal does not replace ophthalmologists.
- I'm an ophthalmologist and owner of Pacific I'm Robert Ford.
- I, of course, am in a rural town, and Madam Chair, we don't have any ophthalmologists.
Keywords:
medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 14th, 2026 at 01:49 pm
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, the words themselves, optometrist, ophthalmologist, they're confusing.
- I mean, Words themselves, optometrist, ophthalmologist, they're confusing.
- The ophthalmologist, on the other hand, is a completely different thing. Vision.
- So we've already talked about the difference between ophthalmologists and optometrists.
- An ophthalmologist? Mr.
Bills:
HB145, HB164, HR1, HB20, HB65, HB66, HB80, HB306, SB29, SB37, HB99, HB206, HB213, HB270, SB104, SB193, HB38, HB254, HB256, SB58, SB64, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM39, HM29, HM43, HM59, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB253
Keywords:
high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, lobbying, transparency, public records, government oversight, accountability, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation, subpoena power, public corruption, criminal activity, Zorro ranch, Santa Fe County
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Ophthalmologists would provide it. None has been presented.
- While optometrists and ophthalmologists work shoulder to shoulder every day in practice, the ophthalmologist
- I'm a comprehensive ophthalmologist who practices in Minneapolis.
- Over 95% of Minnesotans live within 30 minutes of an ophthalmologist.
- Sorry, you said ophthalmologist. No, I'm saying you said ophthalmologist. No, I'm saying you guys.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (01/23/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Access to care in rural areas faces significant shortages of ophthalmologists, and the number of ophthalmologists
- We know that the number of ophthalmologists are declining.
- That is the minimum requirement for an ophthalmologist.
- There is no ophthalmologist in all of Coos County.
- I'm not an ophthalmologist. I'm not an optometrist.
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on House Bill 144 and House Bill 145, both related to professional licensing for dietitians and dental hygienists. HB 144 was described as a technical fix to align statute with existing Board of Dental Examiners rules allowing dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide and local anesthesia, with supporters saying the bill would add needed training and examination requirements to statute. A dentist and dental society representative testified that the practice is already being done safely within scope, and committee members discussed whether nitrous oxide is still used and whether the bill was mainly to keep the paperwork and law consistent. The committee moved HB 144 forward on a 12-0 vote and placed it on consent.
HB 145 would join New Hampshire to a dietitian licensure compact and add a criminal history check for initial licensure to match compact language. The sponsor and board witnesses said the compact would improve portability, support telehealth, help military families and spouses, and maintain public safety by ensuring qualified practitioners and information-sharing among member states. Committee members asked about withdrawal from the compact, the difference between single-state and compact licensure, and why a background check was included; the witness said the compact is not yet active, with four states enacted and seven needed, and that the background check is required by the compact language. Additional testimony from a private-practice dietitian supported the bill, citing continuity of care, rural access, and workforce mobility, while some members raised concerns about telehealth across state lines and the practical effect of the background check.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Health Policy Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- That's a great example you are using regarding the ophthalmologist.
- This legislation speaks only to opticians who delegate; the ophthalmologist is a separate practice, a
- No, because these are for individuals who are working under an optician, not an ophthalmologist.
- Does it impact the delegation authority of an ophthalmologist or optometrist?
- It does not affect the delegation authority of an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Thank you.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/10/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- We know there are huge deserts across Minnesota where there are just no ophthalmologists.
- We know there are huge deserts across Minnesota where there are just no ophthalmologists.
- We know there are huge deserts across Minnesota where there are just no ophthalmologists.
- has been not productive, and I sided with the ophthalmologist back in the original thing.
- And talk to the ophthalmologists.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <07:39:07.320>
for <07:39:07.440>these <07:39:07.640>procedures ophthalmologist - for these procedures ophthalmologist for these procedures knows<07:39:09.000>
what <07:39:09.200 - ophthalmologist, not a surgeon. ophthalmologist, not a surgeon.
- Not being near ophthalmologists is not a reason to have any eye surgery done by a non-professional.
- What we may not know is plans are afoot to place ophthalmologists in other deserts.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Feb 4th, 2026 at 08:36 am
House Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And, Chair are and ophthalmologists are medical doctors, correct?
- Optometry There's about four different boards and residency on ophthalmologists, and I don't see anything
- for the optometrists Except for, it seems like, for the ophthalmologists, it's 36 months on the job
- The other thing I want to note is that we did hear from ophthalmologists on public comment. that there
- That ophthalmologist called in and said on public comment that within two weeks, someone could be seen
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And this isn't just about optometrists versus ophthalmologists.
- easy, and laser eye procedures can lead to complications that require emergent surgery, and ophthalmologists
- When I trained to do these procedures, I trained to do them on people with an experienced ophthalmologist
- I find the difference in hours of training between optometrists and ophthalmologists.
- Um, I'm gonna defer to my expert who's going to talk at length about the training that both ophthalmologists
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- President, I'm just wondering if the committee that put this forward... ...heard from the ophthalmologists
- We did not hear directly from the optometrists or the ophthalmologists.
- I wasn't really curious about the optometrists, but I was curious if the ophthalmologists are interested
- the machinations of the other body, the impetus for this amendment came specifically from the ophthalmologists
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (02/04/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And that is also how ophthalmologists learn new advances as well.
- We have ophthalmologists here that are prepared to testify.
- , and it has to be a certified ophthalmologist under ACGME rules.
- , and it has to be a certified ophthalmologist under ACGME rules.
- , and it has to be a certified ophthalmologist under ACGME rules.