IOP Quarterly News

IOP news & updates

December 1, 2022 | Issue 11

Upcoming Events

Complete this form if you are interested in attending

Save the Date! October 5-7, 2023, Boise Centre

Congratulations to

Dr. Lauren Huber,

2022 Idaho OD of the Year!

New benefits are available to members, their families, and staff!

It isn’t easy to get great coverage when your practice employs a handful of staff members. And even harder when you are a sole practitioner with only dependents to cover.

The Idaho Optometric Benefits Center, powered by Decisely, provides practices and individual members exclusive access to affordable, quality healthcare options. And with a range of plans and rates to best suit your needs as well as your staff members, The Benefits Center has something for everyone.

The IOP is excited to be able to offer you this exclusive membership benefit. With rates this competitive, it is worth exploring if these new plans will work for you.

President's Comments

As I think about the last several years, I am amazed how much effort goes into scope expansion legislation. It is not enough to be right on an issue, we also have to navigate successfully within our system of government. I am proud of the work we have done this year and am thankful for everyone who is participating in this effort.

The laser roadshow has been proven to be an effective strategy to educate legislators as well as develop our relationship with them. All told, 38% of Idaho legislators participated in a roadshow event, and I anticipate some will share their experience with their colleagues who could not attend. It was very helpful to let them experience the laser and understand that optometrists are well-suited to perform these needed in-office procedures. Sharing the fact that optometrists have now done over 100,000 of these procedures safely and effectively provides evidence that supports this position and makes it difficult for legislators to reconcile the opposition’s suggestions that our education or concern for safety is somehow lacking.

At the time of writing this, we do not yet know who will be serving on the Health and Welfare Committees in the House or Senate. In our favor, as a result of the elections several of the most influential legislators who opposed us in the past are no longer serving in the legislature. There will be a flurry of activity when these positions are filled as we, and our opposition, try to get our message in front of them again. Be on the lookout to help with this important step in the process. Let’s finish strong and put this battle behind us once and for all!

I feel truly honored to have served the Idaho Optometric Physicians as president in 2022. What a privilege to be associated with an organization of professional, caring doctors and staff as yourselves. I’m looking forward to the steadfast leadership of Dr. Cody Jones next year as well as continuing to provide eye care for our community to the full level of our training in the years to come.

Todd Slusser, OD

IOP President 2022

Be sure to click on "view entire message" at the bottom of this email...some browsers will clip the message, we don't want you to miss anything!

2023 IOP/AOA dues invoices will come from the AOA. If your home, office, or email address has changed, AND/OR you would like a bookkeeper or other office staff to receive a duplicate invoice, email the information to Lisa, execdir@iopinc.org.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

2022 General Election Recap

Statewide Offices

No real surprises here. The Republicans swept all six of the statewide offices. Below is the list of

last night’s winners.

Governor: Brad Little was re-elected to a second term.
Lieutenant Governor: Former Speaker of the House Scott Bedke was elected to his first term.
Secretary of State: Former Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane was elected to his first term.
Attorney General: Former U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador was elected to his first term.
Controller: Brandon Woolf was re-elected to his third term.
Treasurer: Julie Ellsworth was re-elected to her second term.
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Former Chair of the Idaho State Board of Education
Debbie Critchfield was elected to her first term.

Idaho Legislature – Same As It Ever Was…*

Considering we have just a bit more than a forty percent turnover in both the House and Senate,

you would have thought that there would have been a major shift in the balance of power between the Republicans and Democrats, especially after a year that included redistricting – But you would be wrong. While there are plenty of new faces, the party breakdown in both the House and the Senate remains the same. The Senate still has 28 Republicans (15 new faces) and seven Democrats (four new faces).

Meanwhile, the House will continue to have 58 Republicans (27 new faces) and 12 Democrats (three new faces). Same as it ever was.

Surprises of the Night

There were really only four legislative districts that had any real contested races. Here are the

races that stuck out. In District 6 near the Moscow-Lewiston area, Democratic Senator David

Nelson lost to former Senator Dan Foreman. In District 15, which lies in West Boise, Democrat

and political novice Rick Just defeated Republican Representative Codi Galloway for Senate. In

District 26, which includes parts of Jerome and Blaine County, Democrat and political newcomer Ron Taylor defeated Republican Representative Laurie Likely for Senate. This is actually good news for us since both Nelson and Likely voted against our previous legislation.

Special Legislative Report

Leadership, Committee Chairs; Committee Assignments

The Senate & House Leadership Race results were announced last week (See below). The good news is that Senators Abbey Lee, Mark Harris, and Melissa Wintrow all voted in favor of our 2020 legislation, HB 317. In addition, Representatives Mike Moyle, Meagan Blanksma (our House floor sponsor), Sage Dixon, and Illana Rubel also supported our bill. Representative Necochea, however, voted against our bill.

Senators Chuck Winder, Kelly Anthon, Mark Harris, and James Ruchti attended one of our Laser

Roadshow Events. In addition, Representatives Dustin Manwaring and Ned Burns also attended

one of our Laser Roadshow events.

Senate

Republican Leadership
Pro Tempore - Chuck Winder (R-Boise) District 20
Majority Leader - Kelly Anthon (R-Rupert) District 27
Assistant Majority Leader - Abby Lee (R-Fruitland) District 9
Caucus Chair - Mark Harris (R-Soda Springs) District 35
Democratic Leadership
Minority Leader - Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) District 19
Assistant Majority Leader - James Ruchti (D-Pocatello) District 29
Caucus Chair - Janie Ward-Engelking (D-Boise) District 18

House

Republican Leadership
Speaker - Mike Moyle (R-Star) District 10
Majority Leader - Meagan Blanksma (R-Hammett) District 8
Assistant Majority Leader - Sage Dixon (R-Ponderay) District 1
Caucus Chair - Dustin Manwaring (R-Pocatello) District 29
Democratic Leadership
Minority Leader - Illana Rubel (D-Boise) District 18
Assistant Minority Leader - Lauren Necochea (D-Boise) District 19
Caucus Chair - Ned Burns (D-Bellevue) District 26

After the Leadership races were completed, the new Leadership teams appointed Committee

Chairs and made committee assignments for the rest of the members (See below). The key

committees for our legislation are the Senate Health & Welfare Committee and the House Health & Welfare Committee. The Committee rosters are below.

The good news in the Senate is that Senator Wintrow voted yes on HB 317 in 2020 when she

was a member of the House. Both Senators Mark Harris and Abby Lee voted yes on HB 317

during Committee in 2020. Additionally, Senators Julie VanOrden, Glenneda Zuiderveld, Mark

Harris, Carl Bjerke, and Ron Taylor attended one of our Laser Roadshow events.

The good news in the House is that Representatives John Vander Woude, Meagan Blanksma (our House floor sponsor), Mike Kingsley & Illana Rubel all voted yes on HB 317 in 2020. Representative Chew was absent from the floor vote. In addition, Representatives Chenele Dixon, Jacyn Gallagher, Jordan Redman, and Sue Chew attended one of our Laser Road Show

events.

Senate Health & Welfare Committee

Julie VanOrden - Chair (R-Pingree) District 30
Glenneda Zuiderveld - Vice Chair (R-Twin Falls) District 24
Abby Lee (R-Fruitland) District 9
Mark Harris (R-Soda Springs) District 35
Carl Bjerke (R-Couer d'Alene) District 5
Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) District 19
Ron Taylor (D-Hailey) District 26

House Health & Welfare Committee

John Vander Woude – Chair (R-Nampa) District 22
Marco Erickson - Vice Chair (R-Idaho Falls) District 33
Meagan Blanksma (R-Hammett) District 8
Mike Kingsley (R-Lewiston) District 7
Brandon Mitchell (R-Moscow) District 6
Chenele Dixon (R-Kimberly) District 24
Jacyn Gallagher (R-Weiser) District 9
Dori Healey (R-Boise) District 15
Jordan Redman (R-Coeur d’ Alene ) District 3
Josh Wheeler (R-Ammon) District 35
Sue Chew (D-Boise) District 17
Illana Rubel (D-Boise) District 18
Nate Roberts (D-Pocatello) District 29

Respectfully Submitted,

Lance Giles

Legislative Committee Report

Where did we leave off?

We’re going for scope expansion in 2022-2023. We are removing the exclusion of therapeutic lasers from our law, allowing for YAG, SLT, and LPI for those that choose to offer these services to your patients.

What has happened since then?

We have held laser roadshows throughout the state to expose our legislators to exactly what these therapeutic laser procedures are all about. The legislators that have attended have been extremely supportive and appreciative of the chance to see the laser in action (and shoot it themselves). Our lobbyist and former IOP President Dan Schrempp attended the North Idaho Chamber Tour (as did political ophthalmology) to discuss legislation with legislators and get to know them better. There was a meeting between the IOP and the Idaho Ophthalmological Society and their lobbyists in an attempt to negotiate in good faith, which was responded to with a list of why we shouldn’t be able to do what we have been trained to do with no room for negotiation on their end. General election donations were made.

What’s to come:

-Talk with DOPL and make sure they are at least neutral on the bill

-Talk with the Governor’s Office staff about the bill

-Committee assignments will be made to assign legislators to the Health and Welfare committees for the Senate and the House in the first week of December

-Developing a strategic approach to testifying in the upcoming Health and Welfare hearings

-Develop a Radio Ad to use during the Session

-Develop an Op-Ed to use during the Session

-Finalize Statement of Purpose and Fiscal Note

-2023 Legislative session starts January 9th

What do I need to do now?

This is where the hard work starts. Maybe you’re not interested in performing laser surgical procedures yourself? Totally fine. But chances are you will be looking for an associate / selling your practice / hoping to retire someday and need to attract a new graduate to your area. One of the best ways to do that is by living in a state where new optometric talent wants to go, which for many optometrists is centered around practicing to the level of their education. And for decades now, that education has included therapeutic laser procedures.

It’s also about paying it forward. Optometry, whether we like it or not, is a legislatively mediated profession. I can’t imagine a time where I was unable to treat my patients with glaucoma with topical medication, but when I was graduating from NECO in 2012, I was in a state that didn’t yet have the ability to do without an ophthalmologist signing off on diagnosis and treatment choices. It’s only because of the hard work of legislatively-minded optometrists before us that we’re able to do things like dilate, treat with oral and topical medications, and perform the minor surgical procedures that we’re able to do now.

Maybe you feel like you don’t have time. I feel that. This is the busiest time of year for nearly everyone. But the thing I have learned throughout this process is that it doesn’t actually take that much time to have a conversation with a legislator. Especially when you have one sitting in your exam room chair or living down the street from you, or one that’s a friend of a friend. And the IOP is more than willing and able to give you all the talking points and information that you need to make that conversation a success. I am more than happy to help if you need another person in the room, as I know, several other board members and our optometric community would be. Just let us know!

Our last legislative battle came down to one vote in a committee hearing that we thought we had, but something the legislator heard during testimony made this person unsure enough to waver. I bet if we had the opportunity to have one more conversation with this person, they would have been educated enough to know baloney when they heard it.

Bottom line: talk to your legislators. Let them know why this is important for your patients - their constituents - and why it’s essential for the future of eye care for optometrists to be able to practice to the level at which they are educated. The safety is there in the numbers are there in the now 10 states where this is allowed. Let’s make Idaho #11.

Lauren Huber, OD

IOP Legislative Committee Chair

Insurance Advisory Committee

Nothing new to report. Please contact me if you have any questions or issues, insuranceadvisory.iop@gmail.com

Best Regards,

Terri L. Haley, OD

Insurance Advisory Committee Chair

Communication Committee

As I am writing this, we are just finishing up the Thanksgiving Holiday. It’s one of my favorite times of the year. We get to spend time with family, relax and eat great food. But it’s also a time to reflect on all the things we have to be grateful for. Will Arnett once said, “I am happy because I’m grateful. That gratitude allows me to be happy.” Over the years, I have learned that some of the best and happiest people I know are those who are the most grateful. They seem to be the most optimistic and generous people I have had the pleasure of rubbing shoulders with. They are the salt of the earth.

I want to express my gratitude for all of you, my colleagues, who put their blood, sweat and tears into taking care of their patients. I am thankful especially for all of you who sacrifice additional time and energy to our profession that provides us all a living. It isn’t always easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. This year is one of those years that requires a little bit more of each of us as we continue to propel our profession forward. I ask for your continued support as we approach this legislative session. I want to invite you all to visit our legislative website, www.accesseyedaho.com, and then share it with others. I also want to invite you all to join our Facebook group, IOP ODs on Facebook. I look forward to interacting with you all there. I am thankful for the blessings of 2022 and I am optimistic as to what 2023 has in store for Idaho Optometrists.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Cody Jones, OD

IOP President Elect

Paraoptometric Committee

Greetings Paras and doctors!

Congress education in Sun Valley for the paras was fantastic! If you were unable to make it, I hope you can make it for 2023’s session in Boise! There are a lot of plans underway and we already have secured some potential speakers, which is exciting. More information on this as we get some finalizations of plans, but for reals, it’s gonna be sweet!

I don’t know about you, but I miss some of the local education that was happening from vendors and speakers that just wasn’t possible over the past two years. If you have an idea for some education for your fellow paraoptometric peers, I can help you with some ideas on how to organize a class. Continued education, while a draw for those who are certified, is not required - sometimes it’s just good to get together to learn something new.

So, mark your calendars for October 5th and 6th, in Boise, for the next set of excellent education being offered to you! Again, more details to come!!

Tami Arnett, CPOA, ABOC

IOP Paraoptometric Section

Committee Chair

Meet your 2023 IOP Board

Cody Jones, OD

President

ioppres@gmail.com

cjones@bluebirdeyecare.com

Todd Slusser, OD

Immediate Past President

iopipprez@gmail.com

James Bewley, OD

President Elect &

Communication Committee Chair

ioppelect@gmail.com

Brian Miller, OD

Vice President

iopvpr@gmail.com

Jett Scrimsher, OD

North A Regional Director

ioprdna@gmail.com

Joel Brown, OD

North B Regional Director

ioprdnb@gmail.com

Doug Adams, OD

Southwest A Regional Director

ioprdswa@gmail.com

Alex Archibald, OD

Southwest B Regional Director

ioprdswb@gmail.com

Elisabeth Lehr, OD

South Central Regional Director

ioprdsc@gmail.com

Michael Tucker, OD

South East Regional Director

ioprdse@gmail.com

Lauren Huber, OD

Legislative Committee Chair

ioplegchair@gmail.com

Terri Haley, OD

Insurance Advisory Committee Chair

insuranceadvisory.iop@gmail.com

Tami Arnett, ABO, CPOA

Paraoptometric Committee Chair

iop.para.cc@gmail.com

Aaron Bronner, OD

Membership & Social Media

Committee Chair

iopmemcomm@gmail.com

Lisa White

IOP Executive Director

execdir@iopinc.org

Misty Mendiola

IOP Event Coordinator

iopmeetings@gmail.com

Final notes...

We enjoyed seeing 120 of you and your staff members in Sun Valley at the IOP Annual Congress! An additional 40 doctors received CE virtually. A great turnout! We are working to provide another fantastic event in 2023. If there are specific vendors you would like to see at the exhibit hall, send your suggestions our way. Recommendations coming directly from our attendees are always helpful.

One goal for 2023 is to bring more value to our members. We have just partnered with Decisely to offer health care and HR solutions. Watch for more industry partners to come soon!

The 2023 Day at the Capitol will be on Monday, January 30th. Dr. Aaron Bronner kicks off the event with two hours of CE. A total of four hours of education will be offered. Be aware that space is limited! We will do our best to accommodate as many as possible. Complete this registration form if you would like to attend. The IOP will contact you for payment if space is available (first come, first registered).

Thank you to our laser roadshow hosts; Ada Vision Center, Eastgate Optical, Eagle Vision One, Family Eyecare Specialists, Alameda Vision Center, Summit Eyecare, Hayden Vision Source, and PCLI. Over 30 legislators attended our events! Thank you also to our members who came to help educate and chat with the legislators. These connections will be key when questions arise. To keep our message consistent, we will send an email soon with the fact sheets and other material we have created. Our website, accesseyedaho.com, is a great tool and will be updated throughout the legislative session.

Please get in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns; I'm here to help! Thank you for your continued support.

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!

Lisa White