Press Releases

Today, Reps. Celeste Maloy (UT-02) and Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) introduced the Servicemembers' Eyeglasses Efficiency Act (SEE Act). This bill would add eyeglass lens fittings to the list of medical treatments covered by the Veterans Community Care Program, increasing access to care for millions of veterans in remote areas.

“Veterans in rural Utah have expressed frustration about having to travel hundreds of miles just to be fitted for eyeglasses. Making this basic service more accessible is a good step towards improving healthcare for our veterans,” said Rep. Maloy. "The SEE Act is a great example of how representative government should work: finding a solution to a federal problem raised by the people we represent.”

“Veterans in rural Wisconsin should not have to drive hours to Tomah, Madison, or Milwaukee for a simple eyeglass fitting. I have made a commitment to our veterans to improve their healthcare and quality of life, and that is why I am proud to join Rep. Maloy in introducing the SEE Act. This legislation is a practical step toward ensuring veterans can access the care they deserve, without unnecessary barriers,” said Rep. Van Orden.

You can find the full text of the bill here and a one pager here.  

Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), and John Curtis (UT-03) are original cosponsors.

“I’ve heard from many Central Oregon veterans concerned with a lack of accessible health care. Supporting community care fixes this problem by allowing them to find care in their communities without traveling to a VA facility. I’m proud to cosponsor the SEE Act, which would improve eye care options for our nation’s veterans by expanding community care coverage,” said Rep. Chavez-DeRemer.

“Current VA guidelines do not cover veterans' eyeglass fittings outside of a VA facility. With a quarter of veterans living in rural areas, that is a burden for millions who served our nation. The SEE Act would give veterans more flexibility and save the VA money in travel and lodging reimbursement costs.  As an Ophthalmologist and a veteran from Iowa, I am proud to join Rep. Maloy in supporting the SEE Act to give veterans enhanced access to eyecare,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks.

“Requiring veterans in Utah to travel hundreds of miles for eyeglass fittings is nonsense. I’m pleased to support legislation making healthcare just a little more accessible for our veterans, who deserve convenient and quality care after their service to our country," said Rep. Curtis.

"I'm a 100% disabled purple heart veteran who's recovering from a back surgery with 3" screws, and the optometrist in St. George said I needed to drive 300 miles to Salt Lake to get fitted for eyeglasses frames. I can't ride in a car for 5 hours with my back," said Utah based veteran Bruce Bissell. 

Background:

A quarter of U.S. vets (6.4 million) live in rural parts of the country and one third wear glasses. VA Community Care Networks (CCNs), created by the Mission Act in 2018, allow some veterans to access basic care in their communities without traveling to VA facilities. However, the Mission Act only lists “optometric services” and “vision testing” as eyecare services covered by CCNs. The VA does not consider eyeglass fittings to be covered. As a result, veterans in rural parts of Utah are forced to drive upwards of 500 miles roundtrip for eyeglass fittings at VA facilities.

Adding eyeglass fittings to the list of treatments covered by Community Care Networks would help veterans and save the VA money in travel and lodging reimbursement costs.