Legislative Victories, NHOA PAC & AOA PAC

This year you may have noticed that the request for PAC contributions was missing from the annual dues statement. Our migration to the AOA platform for dues billing and payments did not allow time for implementation, and as a result, the NHOA PAC funds are severely lagging behind previous years. Thankfully we are up-and-running if you wish to make a contribution via credit card click here.

Your funds, time, and passion have been the reason why we have been able to make advances in our profession while also playing defense against hurtful legislation.

This year we succeeded in updating the New Hampshire glaucoma statute to allow treatment of all glaucoma by ODs, an overdue but meaningful accomplishment.

We also succeeded in preventing an onerous and just plain bad idea that would have required the pupillary distance measurement be included in all prescriptions and allowed opticians to adjust that measurement, in essence allowing opticians to change a prescription!

As a result, over the past year:

• our grassroots network is stronger than it’s been in 20 years,
• we recruited more NHOA members into active involvement in our political & legislative efforts,
• NHOA gained substantial support within the legislature both in numbers and passion, and
• the reputation and understanding of Optometry among legislators are notably enhanced.

It is crucial that we continue to build upon these accomplishments, and part of that effort is to support those in the legislature who have demonstrated support for Optometry and Optometry’s role in health care.

Additionally, a full third of N.H. Senators have chosen to not run for re-election, meaning we have a lot of work to do to in educating new members, but that means those NHOA champions that remain are even more important.

Please contribute today to NHOA PAC– your contribution now is more meaningful than ever.

To give to NHOA PAC:

• Click here
• Or download this form & send a check to:

NHOA PAC
C/O Dr. Tony Sacco
21 Green Street, Concord NH 03301

Our New Hampshire state elected officials determine state policy that affects NH-licensed ODs on things like scope of practice, tele-medicine and health insurance policy. Separately, the U.S. Congress determines policy on things like Medicare reimbursement and other areas within the jurisdiction of the federal government.  That’s why your commitment to both NHOA-PAC and AOA-PAC is essential; AOA-PAC supports members of the U.S. Congress who support Optometry.

To give to AOA-PAC:

• Mail a check or AOA-PAC form to
  AOA-PAC
  1505 Prince Street Ste. 300
  Alexandria, VA 22314
• TEXT “EYES” to 41444 and follow the prompts.
  This is super easy, takes very little time, does not require member ID, and you can make one-time contributions as well as set up recurring donations
• Go to aoa.org/PAC - for this you will need your member ID # to log in, but you can make a one-time contribution or set up recurring donations here as well.
• Call Tess Milliorn at AOA directly – (703) 837-1345
• Contact your FAR (Federal Advocacy Representative) Dr. Dorothy Hitchmoth: dhitchmoth@gmail.com

Sincerely,

NHOA Legislative Chairs
Dr. Angel Sawyer & Dr. Alison Loranger

NHOA PAC Chair
Dr. Sarah Hudson          
NHOA PAC Treasurer
Dr. Tony Sacco

AOA Federal Advocacy Representative
Dr. Dorothy Hitchmoth

PS: Every contribution is meaningful.  Please contribute what you can today.

Disclaimer: Contributions to the NHOA PAC and AOA PAC are for political purposes and are not tax deductible.  This communication is intended for AOA members only, which alone are able to invest in AOA PAC. You have the right to refuse to contribute to NHOA PAC and / or AOA PAC without the fear of reprisal, and any guidelines for contributing are merely suggestions; you may contribute more (up to $5,000 per year) or less than the suggestions, or nothing at all. Neither NHOA nor AOA will advantage or disadvantage anyone by reason of the amount of their contribution or their decision not to contribute. An individual must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident to contribute to the PAC. Federal and state laws require us to use best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of everyone whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year for federal purposes, or over $50 for a single contribution for State of New Hampshire reporting purposes.