Rep. Maloy Reintroduces SEE Act to Help Veterans Get Eyeglasses Fittings in Rural Areas

Today, Reps. Celeste Maloy (UT-02) and Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) reintroduced the Servicemember's Eyeglasses Efficiency Act (SEE Act). This bill would add eyeglass lens fittings to the list of medical treatments covered by the Veterans Community Care Program, increasing access to care for millions of veterans in remote areas.

"Veterans in rural Utah have expressed frustration about having to travel hundreds of miles just to be fitted for eyeglasses. Making this basic service more accessible is a good step towards improving healthcare for our veterans," said Rep. Maloy. "The SEE Act is a great example of how representative government should work: finding a solution to a federal problem raised by the people we represent."

"Veterans in rural Wisconsin should not have to drive hours to Tomah, Madison, or Milwaukee for a simple eyeglass fitting. I have made a commitment to our veterans to improve their healthcare and quality of life, and that is why I am proud to join Rep. Maloy in introducing the SEE Act. This legislation is a practical step toward ensuring veterans can access the care they deserve, without unnecessary barriers," said Rep. Van Orden.

You can find the full text of the bill here.

"I'm a 100% disabled purple heart veteran who's recovering from a back surgery with 3" screws, and the optometrist in St. George said I needed to drive 300 miles to Salt Lake to get fitted for eyeglasses frames. I can't ride in a car for 5 hours with my back," said Utah based veteran Bruce Bissell.

Background:

A quarter of U.S. vets (6.4 million) live in rural parts of the country and one third wear glasses. VA Community Care Networks (CCNs), created by the Mission Act in 2018, allow some veterans to access basic care in their communities without traveling to VA facilities. However, many VA jurisdictions, including the VA in Utah and other rural areas, do not allow eyeglass fittings in the community. As a result, veterans in rural parts of Utah are forced to drive upwards of 500 miles roundtrip for eyeglass fittings at VA facilities.

Adding eyeglass fittings to the list of treatments covered by Community Care Networks would help veterans and save the VA money in travel and lodging reimbursement costs.