TOA E-News

President's Message:

How a Bill Becomes a Law...with Ladders

Matt Valdes, OD, FAAO

TOA President

How a bill becomes a law…with ladders

You’re probably playing the School House Rock song in your head right now. This iconic children’s song outlined the steps required for a bill to become a law. On the surface, it would appear to be a fairly simple process. In practice, it’s anything but straight forward.

Serving on the TOA board has given me a unique perspective into legislative efforts that not many get to experience, one that I feel our members need to see from time to time. The art of advocacy could best be described by the popular children’s game, Chutes and Ladders. A simple premise, move your way up the board with the roll of a single die, until you reach the end. Along the way, you may land on a ladder, which advances you closer to the finish, or a chute, which slides you backwards, extending the game.

Unlike the game, in the legislative process there are few ladders and a disproportionate number of chutes, which often leads to a killed bill. Compound this with a 100-year pandemic, and you’ve got a narrow margin of error. As our in-house counsel so often reminds us, “There are a thousand ways to kill a bill and only one way to pass it.”

What took place during the last legislative session and the passing of SB993, was nothing short of a masterfully executed strategy in the face of many “chutes”. Grassroots advocacy, effective communication/messaging, fundraising and key relationships formed over decades were required for an effective campaign. Although there are no guarantees and situations can change rapidly during a legislative session, the work put forth by the TOA on passing SB993 was on full display with the final vote being 144-2 and 30-0 in the house and senate, respectively.

A question I often get from members is, “How can I help?” By building ladders. When you maintain your membership within the association, you’ve helped build a ladder. Joining TOPAC to ensure the support of legislative efforts for safe and effective eye and vision care, you're helping build a ladder. By simply getting to know your local legislators and developing a personal relationship, you are building a ladder that could be consequential 10 years down the line.

So, I’ll end with this, our fight continues. The next legislative session is less than a year away and strategies are already being formulated today to improve the profession and patient care for tomorrow. We would not be able to accomplish what we do without the support of you, our members and we thank you for entrusting us with this great responsibility. I look forward to serving the association and profession this coming year.

Meet YOUR

2022-2023 Texas Optometric Association Board of Trustees

Haven't met the 2022 TOA Board of Trustees? Click below and view the dedicated board of optometrists now serving as TOA Executive Committee and Board Trustees.

TOA Board of Trustees

"Doctors of Optometry working together to advance excellence in eyecare for every Texan"

- TOA Mission Statement

Practice Safety, Patient Trust

When we ask doctors to summarize the value of maintaining rock-solid OSHA and HIPAA protocols in their practice, we hear the same answer. They keep everyone — patients and staff — safe. But can maintaining a risk-free practice environment also support your bottom line? The answer is yes, and the reason lies with something that's important for every practice: building patient trust.

Click to read MORE, courtesy of Practice Compliance Solutions!

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PLUS: 2 additional Wet Lab hours (Limited Seating)

BONUS: FREE Webinar on the required Opioid and the Professional Responsibility Courses. Compliments of PCS and University of Houston College of Optometry.

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Analyzing OCT Data, Myopia Management, Contact Lens Billing, Critical Customer Service Skills, Gonioscopy, Dry Wet Lab, and more...

Summer CE and Family FUN

TOA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:

Prevent Blindness Texas Honored William Elizondo, OD

William "Bill" Elizondo, OD, was honored for his pivotal role in optometry's history by Prevent Blindness Texas as keynote speaker during their "PBT Night at the Museum" event. Dr. Elizondo was presented with resolutions from Senator Jose Menendez (District 26) and Representative Ira Minjarez (District 124).

In attendance with Dr. Elizondo (center) are TOA President Matt Valdes, OD, FAAO (left), and Past TOA President Sandra Fortenberry, OD, FAAO (right).

>> More about Dr. Elizondo and the history of optometry

>> More about Prevent Blindness Texas

TOA's Newest Members!

TOA is proud to welcome our latest members.

Samira Alejos OD; CTOS

Ansu Mariam Bensen, OD; NETOS

Courtney Cates, OD; DCOS

Michael Cerean, OD; BCDOS

Kim Van Chau OD; HCOS

Ellen Crothers OD; CTOS

Glenwood Deshaw OD; DCOS

Julie Ervin OD; TCOS

Michael Feeser OD; WTOS

Herman Gerdes OD; HTOS

Catherine Hall, OD; DCOS

Jesal Haribhakti OD; BCDOS

Julia Jose, OD; DCOS

Ranjit Kaur, OD; CTOS

Tanya Kohli OD; CTOS

Shannon Lebus OD; ETOS

Maurice Leung, OD; COS

Chi-Quang Nguyen OD; HCOS

Theresa Nguyen OD; CTOS

Nna Okochi OD; CTOS

Allison Orr OD; CTOS

Jay Pravda, OD; HCOS

Robert Ramos, OD; CTOS

Kaitlyn Sapoznik OD, PhD; HCOS

Mintra Sattam OD; HCOS

Vidhi Shah OD; TCOS

Justin Simbulan, OD; HCOS

Lacey Thames OD; CTOS

Maria Walker, OD, PhD, FAAO; HCOS

Jake Wysiadlowski OD; CTOS

Matthew Zemanovich OD; CTOS

Interested in becoming a member? Already a member and have questions about it or your benefits?

Click here, e-mail TOA at memberservices@txeyedoctors.com or call the office at 512-707-2020.

HIGHLIGHTED MEMBER BENEFIT SECTION

TOA MEMBER BENEFIT:

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