Policy Issues
| Hot Issue -- Medicare Coverage for Low Vision Devices |
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently ruled that low vision devices/assistive technology devices will remain excluded from Medicare coverage. Lighthouse International opposes the CMS decision and urges its repeal. Low vision devices are critical to maintaining independence for people with impaired vision, particularly older adults. Click here to read more about Medicare coverage for low vision devices. |
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There are many policy issues surrounding vision loss. They range from health care and services to education to ensuring civil rights for those living with visual impairments. Lighthouse International is in the forefront; researching the relevant policy issues that affect people with visual impairments (regardless of age or degree of vision loss) and those that serve the visually impaired community. Click here to learn about the current legislation concerning vision loss on both the federal and state levels.
Vision Care and Rehabilitative Services
Every individual experiencing vision loss must be able to receive, without impediment from lack of insurance coverage, the relevant health care and rehabilitative services to continue to live independently and in the least restrictive environment possible.
Read more details about specific Vision Care and Rehabilitative Services policy issues.
Children and Education
Lighthouse International seeks to ensure that every child has a vision screening exam at a young age and receives all necessary health care and services for any detected visual impairment. Additionally, any student with vision loss must be assured of an equal and quality education.
Read more details about the specific Children and Education policy issues, here.
Vision Care Professionals
The optometrists, ophthalmologists, nurse practitioners and therapists who provide vision care and rehabilitative services are crucial to Lighthouse International's mission of enabling people with low vision and blindness to enjoy safe, independent and productive lives. Lighthouse follows policies that support continuing education for vision professionals or aim to encourage more individuals to enter the field.
Civil Rights and Equal Access
There are many policy issues surrounding the civil rights of the visually impaired and assuring them equal access. While discrimination may not be intentional, there still exists certain inherent institutional conditions which obstruct the visually impaired from exercising their right to live as independently as possible.
Read more details about specific Civil Rights policy issues, here.
Veterans
Many veterans return from war with disabilities, including visual impairments. It is imperative that if our servicemen and women lose their vision while serving their country that they can receive the appropriate care and participate in critical rehabilitative services and programs.