Texas Optometric Political Action Committee (TOPAC)

• TOPAC Future 500 Application

The Texas Optometric Political Action Committee (TOPAC) supports legislative efforts to benefit the safe and effective practice of eye and vision care in Texas.  The efforts of the Texas Optometric Association and TOPAC have resulted in a long line of legislative successes that benefit optometrists and their patients.  Recent achievements include:

• 2007: TOA helped to pass the Medicaid "Direct Access" bill, allowing Medicaid patients to see optometrists without referrals from primary care physicians.
  
  
• 2003: TOA helped to pass the ‘Eyecare Savings Bill’ which required insurance medical panels to accept optometrists who are on that company’s vision panels.
  
  
• 2001: TOA successfully fended off attacks from 1-800CONTACTS to weaken the Texas Contact Lens law.
  
  
• 1999: TOA helped to influence the legislature to pass a bill allowing optometrists to prescribe oral medications and treat glaucoma.
  
  
• 1991: Optometrists won the right to independently administer all diagnostic eyedrops and most topical eyedrops, including topical steroids.
  
  
• 1989: TOA successfully lobbied to have optometrists included in Medicaid.

Without the strength of TOPAC, many of these successes would not have been possible.  A strong TOPAC directly influences access to optometric services and optometrists' authority to practice to the fullest extent of their training.

Please consider supporting TOPAC today. All contributions to TOPAC are investments in the future of the optometric professsion. Contact the TOA at 512-707-2020 or fill out and fax the application at the top to learn how you can support this essential program.

Corporate contributions are not permitted. Checks from P.C.’s are acceptable.
Contributions to TOPAC are not deductible as charitable contributions under the Internal Revenue Service Code.