Involvement in the tremendous growth of the Congressional Advocacy Conference – from fewer than 200 doctors attending a decade ago to more than 550 doctors and students last year -- is a key reason why the AOA was recognized as one of the most effective and most respected lobbying groups active in the nation’s capital, according to a 2012 survey of Congressional aides, policy experts and association executives. 

As we all know, the AOA’s successes in federal advocacy over the years – from the enactment of parity in Medicare in 1986 to the designation of pediatric vision care as essential and creation of a federal patient access law in 2010 – result from the willingness of doctors and students to take optometry’s message directly and repeatedly to Capitol Hill and to follow-up with legislators when they are at home.

Both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are scheduled in be in session when the conference gathers.   Accordingly, the objective is again to connect with every Congressional office on our “Capitol Hill Day” and to lay the groundwork for hundreds of ODs to serve throughout the year as a recognized “go to” resource on patient access issues.    

The Congressional Advocacy Conference will conclude on Tuesday, April 14^th at the completion of your Capitol Hill visits and debriefings. Please be aware that appointments on Capitol Hill can take place as late as 5PM, so plan your departures accordingly (hotel rooms at the AOA rate will be available through Wednesday if you need additional travel time).