De-Regulation...again

[Judy Canty]

Once again, Licensed Opticianry in Virginia is facing de-regulation. There is no bill as yet because the General Assembly will not go into session until January.

BUT we know it's coming. Fore-warned is fore-armed.

[drk]

Who's behind it this time?

[Judy Canty]

The same conservative Republicans as the last time. One of whom is an OD.

[wmcdonald]

It first started, and no offense intended, in most licensed states across the country. ODs fought us at every juncture. It was a different time, and I hope that is better. If you question that, I have copies of numerous bills in several states.

But in my view an article written by Dr. Timmons at the Mercatus institute of George Mason University was a killer. It provided insights into the reason Opticians didn't need to be licensed and made us an easy target. It got press all over the country, and on broadcast media. I am happy to send a copy of that study. It is highly critical of licensure of opticians, and indicates it keeps prices elevated. It's not new and should not be a surprise. There are many who have warned of this for many years. You can reach me at WGMPhD@aol.com. I will be happy to provide a copy. As a reminder, I and others did a rebuttal piece, but it got little traction, while the Timmons article was front page news. You can also look it up online. And we got about as much argument from within Opticianry as out, as to the need for licensure. I suspect that will be the same reaction to this post, by many of the same people.

Bringing the Effects ofOccupational Licensing into
Focus: Optician Licensing in
the United States
Edward J. Timmons and Anna Mills
February 2015
MERCATUS WORKING PAPER

Another important article important to this discussion was written in 2006, Opticianry at a Crossroads, written by Optometric Educator Dr. Jim Sheedy around 2005 or 6. It was sponsored by SOLA. In that paper, Dr. Sheedy wrote a great piece on Opticianry, and indicated we were at a crossroads. In it he talks about an OAA resolution in 1989 that supported refraction for Opticians. It provided a framework for Opticianry's advancement and was a model for us that was realistic and achievable. I personally wrote a 7-part series in the old Eye Care Professional Magazine regarding similar steps and completed a nationwide study on the topic.

Opticians, there is now a new day. I had almost given up but attended the OAA Leadership Conference at the invitation of several longtime friends. I saw new folks there with an interest in being more. They are educated, one completed the ABO Master's Certificate and proudly posted it on social media before that meeting. There are new state associations that want to form and are doing well so far. We are far from dead!
Now, let me go ahead and tell you the response some will provide; It's not a problem! We are fine as we are, and as long as we can sell, and take a PD, we'll be OK. If that's your position, fine. Some say ignorance is bliss! Be happy.
Several of us, myself, Dr. Ferguson, Professor Russo, and others have tried to point out new directions. Ways to improve ourselves and be more significant in the eye care delivery system. We have that opportunity if we just take it. But it is
getting closer. One state loses that license, and the rest will soon follow.

Take this seriously, folks. For many years, some have tried to get the attention of the majority. As Lord Perry said in the war of 1812, “We have met the enemy, and he is us”! Folks, it's not the disruptors, it's not the evil corporations, who by the way are now by far our biggest employers! The ODs no cooperate with us more than in the past because they too face challenges. The problems we face are of our own making. Apathy, and just a lack of moving forward. Three kinds of people. Those who let things happen, those who wonder what happened, and those who MAKE things happen.

To those who will do all you can to dispute what I am saying, go ahead. I am used to it, and you'll be the same as you were in the past. If you can't help. at least don't try to hurt us! But I do hope some will think a bit. We must get better, and we can. Let me know if these articles mentioned are new to you! I'm happy to send a copy if you send me an email.

And Judy, all Republicans, are not evil!

[Barry Santini]

I agree with you, Dr. Warren: The enemy is us.
i can offer an effective counterpoint to all the traditional fiats supporting licensing. I am for education and certification, but not licensing.

B

[wmcdonald]

Thanks, Barry. I understand your point, and that is the direction we're now headed. When licenses begin to fall, and it has been happening for several years now, we need to be prepared, and ready. I think the ABO NCLE has prepared and is set to do all it can to fill the void. But I want people to be aware. Change is coming. What we do with it now will be important. I always envisioned a profession that, like or colleagues in Optometry, Nursing and others, defined itself, rather than only market forces alone. We could have been, and still could be more.

[Judy Canty]

I have been saying that we are our own worst enemy for years. And Warren, I have met very few Republicans who have my respect.

[drk]

The same conservative Republicans as the last time. One of whom is an OD.

No Judy. Who's paying?

[Judy Canty]

No Judy. Who's paying?

Could be anyone. The process began with a report from JLARC, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee in 2018. Interestingly, the committee targeted a number of professions including Opticianry but ignoring Hearing Aid Specialists which is the other half of the HASOPT (Hearing Aid Specialists/Opticians) Board. HAS regulates a much smaller profession than Opticians, so on its face the differentiation is suspect, at least in my opinion.

In this day and age, it's much more difficult to "follow the money", but it is telling when neither of the other "O's" have spoken in defense of our profession.

That is not to say that Opticians in VA have done a spectacular job of supporting each other, because we haven't. Most have been content to let a small group of active Opticians fight their battles for them, content to pay their licensing fees every 2 years and remain blissfully content in their own spheres. I will also add that the HASOPT Board solicited public input regarding the current regulations covering Opticians and if there were any changes thought to be necessary. There was exactly one (1) response and it was mine. It was opened many times by the HASOPT administration and became a sad commentary on involvment by my colleagues.

As I have shouted for more years than I care to acknowledge, WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US. As I have also said as a group, Opticians behave like "crabs in a bucket", willing to crawl over each other to assert their place, by virtue of license, certification, education and/or employer. Unless and until Opticians are willing to work together to move our profession forward, we will face these battles continuously.

Who is behind this? I have my ideas and they don't move far from our own industry. That's a discussion that I'll have when and if I ever decide to retire and allow my license to lapse.

[drk]

Here's what goes on, undeniably.

A bunch of politicans (any party, mind you) are busy, but never too busy to get campaign contributions. That's how government works.

Big business has known, FOREVER that they can get what they want by buying available politicians (99% of them, and ESPECIALLY in Virginia).

They pay, they get their play.

So...again...cui bono?

[drk]

When I testified in Ohio against dumbing down the requirements for optical chains to have a CL-licensed optician on premises to dispense contacts, the sponsor of the bill (yes, a Republican, BTW--former mayor of my small town, and a REAL piece of work) was contributed to by some shell organization that had an officious-sounding name, like "National Organization of Optical Retailers" or something. But it was 95% Luxottica/Lenscrafters (HQ near Cincinnatti) owned-and-operated.

And the votes were already whipped, and it was a mere formality. Luxottica got what it wanted...no licenses needed to dispense contacts.

But there was no one strong enough or interested enough (I was told by the Ohio Optometric Association that I did NOT represent organized optometry, but was on my own) to fight the machine.

Now anyone who doesn't understand this is naiive as hell.

[Judy Canty]

Here's what goes on, undeniably.

A bunch of politicans (any party, mind you) are busy, but never too busy to get campaign contributions. That's how government works.

Big business has known, FOREVER that they can get what they want by buying available politicians (99% of them, and ESPECIALLY in Virginia).

They pay, they get their play.

So...again...cui bono?

PM'd you.

[Judy Canty]

Now anyone who doesn't understand this is naiive as hell.

Indeed.

[drk]

Sadly, very sadly, I don't think we're going to reverse this trend.

Opticianry doesn't pay well enough to have a pack of independents that have money to donate for political clout. And optometry couldn't care less. Arguments could be made that it benefits optometry, but optometry simply doesn't care about optical, even in their own back yards or offices.

So...there's always opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Even if optical care is deregulated (officially) (the trend has been inexorable) it's not easy to do right. Those that can survive independently may not get rich but can work for themselves and do a great job. (Maybe get a little rich.) People will find you.

And if you're kinda in it for the job, well, there are going to be less "big retail" opportunities but there will be some chances. Maybe use that as a training ground?

[wmcdonald]

That is correct. Some will need to do things to make themselves stand out! We have the Great Santini's of the world, and then a few others, but for the most part, it's now a job. We, long ago wanted to provide a vehicle that would allow the Optician to separate themselves from the crowd, and started the Society to Advance Opticianry, we used the accountant as an example. One does not have to be a CPA, but that is considered the best. As licensure declines, there are coming new opportunities for Opticians to stand out. We'll figure it out! I appreciate your ongoing dialogue here.