Why It Matters
The American Optometric Association is lobbying on H.R. 1521, the DOC Access Act, after a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing covered it on Sept. 24.
The bill would bar private health plans from setting rates for services that doctors of optometry, dental surgery, or dental medicine provide when the plan pays little or nothing toward them. Dental cleanings are excepted.
By the Numbers
The association's in-house team reported $610,000 for the third quarter, signed Nov. 4. That is down $480,000 from the second quarter's $1,090,000 and down $140,000 from the third quarter of 2025's $750,000.
Across 11 registrants, the client's third-quarter total is $905,000. That is down $510,000 from the second quarter's $1,415,000 and down $163,500 from $1,068,500 a year earlier. No registrant is new this quarter.
The filing names four lobbyists, all in-house:
- Matt Willette, chief advocacy officer.
- Ralph Kohl, senior director of federal government relations. He is new to the filing since the second quarter.
- Jon Hymes, executive director.
- Ruth Messick, director of advocacy. Her staffer record lists a legislative assistant role for Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA-22).
Broader Context
H.R. 1521. Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA-1) introduced the bill. It was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Feb. 24, 2025. Congress.gov lists 122 cosponsors and no Senate companion.
The Sept. 24 Energy and Commerce hearing examined Medicare provider payment proposals and included the bill.
The American Dental Association and 13 dental groups signed a letter of support. The association's letter to the sponsors says 43 states already limit such interference. It argues federal rules are needed because many dental plans are federally regulated.
H.R. 879. The filing also names the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Gregory F. Murphy (R-NC-3). It raises certain Medicare physician fee schedule payment adjustments for services from April 1, 2025, to Jan. 1, 2026.
The bill sits in Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means with 198 cosponsors. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced the Senate version, S. 1640, which has one cosponsor and sits in the Senate Finance Committee.
A coalition of medical societies, including the American Medical Association, urged passage. Its letter says the bill would avert a 2.83 percent cut and cites a 33 percent inflation-adjusted decline in physician Medicare payments since 2001.
On Nov. 4, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a final rule for the 2027 physician fee schedule, effective Jan. 1, 2027. It covers later-year payment policy than the bill's adjustment period.
Competitive Landscape
The bill record for H.R. 1521 lists 11 organizations. They include the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, VSP Vision, Delta Dental Plans Association, the National Association of Dental Plans, and Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America.
The Bottom Line
H.R. 1521 waits in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. H.R. 879 shows no action beyond committee referral.
The clearest change in the association's operation is the addition of Kohl to its lobbying team.
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