Support AB448

Push Back Against VBMs' Outsized Influence and Support AB448 Today

More than three million patients in Nevada rely on state doctors of optometry for their comprehensive eye health and vision needs, yet vision benefit managers’ (VBM) outsized influence impacts patient choice and access and, overall, the doctor-patient relationship. Important legislation in states across the country, including Texas and Arkansas, is critical to ensure VBMs offer contract terms that are fair for providers and benefits that are appealing for patients via provisions that seek to rebalance the relationship among plans, patients and their doctors.

Nevada AB448 builds on the Nevada Optometric Association’s (NOA’s) efforts in 2023 and is necessary legislation designed to protect patient choice. It would also establish stronger contract protections, ensuring that VBMs cannot unilaterally alter agreements to the detriment of providers, and protect patient choice by preventing VBMs from steering enrollees toward corporate-owned providers or requiring doctors to use specific suppliers for materials.

Thanks to successful advocacy efforts by NOA leadership and doctors, AB448 unanimously passed through the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee. Our next vote will be the entire Assembly in the upcoming week. As members of the optometric profession, lawmakers need to hear from you—their constituents - by Tuesday, April 22.

Take just two minutes TODAY to show your support!
Follow these simple steps to submit your comment:
  1. Click this link to find your legislator.
  2. Use the map to find your representatives.
  3. Click your Assemblymember's name to open their profile.
  4. Look under the “Contact” section for their email address (beneath their photo).
  5. Click the email link to open a message — or copy and paste the email into your own program (like Gmail).
  6. Personalize one of these template emails to express your support (share why this bill matters to you!).
    1. Public Health and Oversight
    2. Reimbursement Equity
    3. Small Practice Sustainability
    4. Patient-first
    5. Fairness and Autonomy
  7. Click Send—and you’re done!
Want to do more? The more opinions submitted, the more support the committee will see. Encourage your colleagues and patients to join in.

Why does this matter?
Legislators consider public opinion when making decisions. Your participation and support can make a difference to rebalance the power between doctors and vision plans.

Don’t wait—submit your comments by Tuesday, April 22!

Nevada has taken important steps to regulate vision plans, but VBMs continue to engage in practices that undermine both patients and providers. This legislative effort is critical to preserving access to eye care in Nevada, ensuring fair competition, and preventing large corporate entities from prioritizing profits over patients. 

Stay tuned for more information and how you can get involved in supporting AB448.