109th Congress

Vision Preservation Act of 2005

H.R. 2671

Background

According to congressional findings, an estimated 80 million Americans have a potentially blinding eye disease, 3 million have low vision, and 1.1 million are legally blind. Although it is believed that half of all blindness can be prevented, the number of blind or visually impaired Americans is expected to double by 2030. Healthy People 2010 dedicates several objectives to visual health, but some in Congress believe that greater effort must be made at all levels of Government to increase awareness of vision problems and their impact and the importance of early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, as well as effective prevention strategies.

As part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Eye Institute (NEI) conducts and supports research that helps prevent and treat eye diseases and other vision disorders. This research leads to sight-saving treatments, reduces visual impairment and blindness, and improves quality of life. NEI-supported research has also advanced our understanding of how the visual system functions in health and disease.

NEI also supports disease prevention and health promotion programs. In 1991, NEI established the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP), which coordinates with a variety of public and private organizations that conduct eye health education programs. NEHEP focuses on public and professional education programs that encourage the early detection and timely treatment of glaucoma and diabetic eye disease and appropriate treatment for low vision.

As cochair of the Congressional Vision Caucus, Representative Gene Green (D-TX) introduced H.R. 2671, the Vision Preservation Act of 2005, to expand current Federal vision programs and increase eye disease research.

Provisions of the Legislation/Impact on NIH

Section 101 of H.R. 2671 would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and NIH, to expand and intensify programs to increase awareness of vision problems though programs such as public service announcements and education campaigns.

Section 104 would require the Director of NIH to expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of research on vision loss prevention and vision rehabilitation. The Director of NIH would be required to coordinate vision-related activities in consultation with Federal officials, voluntary health organizations, medical professional societies, and private organizations as appropriate. The Director of NIH would also be required to conduct translational research and diabetes and glaucoma research and to create an age-related macular degeneration public education program within NEI.

Status and Outlook

H.R. 2671 was introduced by Representative Green on May 26, 2005, and was referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means and on Energy and Commerce. No further action has occurred on this legislation.