VBM reform efforts continue with latest bill introduction
The Vision Lab Choice Act of 2025, S 1716 was introduced to the US Senate floor on May 12.
The bill is in part of an effort to combat the possibility of anti-competitive market behaviors by outlawing specific VBM policies. Image credit: AdobeStock/Sheik
A group of US senators introduced a bill last month that would work to outlaw certain vision benefit managers’ (VBMs) policies in an effort to combat the possibility of anticompetitive market behaviors. Senators Kevin Cramer, R-ND, Chris Murphy, D-Conn, and Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla introduced the Vision Lab Choice Act of 2025, S 1716 on May 12, which has been backed by the American Optometric Association (AOA), according to a news release from the association.1
The bill also complements another similar effort which also promotes VBM reform in the US House, introduced as the Dental and Optometric Care Access (DOC Access) Act, or HR 1521. The bill had almost 90 bipartisan cosponsors and 12 bipartisan cosponsors in the Senate in September 2024.1
“Vision benefit managers are often a hurdle to optometrists and eye care specialists providing the best care to their patients,” Cramer stated as cited in the release. “Our bipartisan bill expands consumer choice for patients, ensures autonomy for providers, and allows optometrists to select the best labs and suppliers to meet the needs of their practice.”
Specific plans outlined in the bill would be to “prohibit VBMs from restricting or limiting doctors’ choice of optical laboratories and sources or suppliers of vision materials provided to patients,” as well as “restrict plan-provider contracts for limited-scope vision benefits to 2-year terms with allowance of an extension with agreement from the doctor,” according to the release.
More VBM legislative news
Other advocates for the bill also joined the AOA in a Capitol Hill briefing in September 2024 in order to discuss growing VBM abuses with lawmakers and staff. The special panel included US Senators and House members in the US House Oversight and Accountability hearing room. Representatives from the National Consumers League (NCL) and Patients Rising advocacy groups were also present to advocate for VBM restrictions.2
“It’s very concerning when patients can’t get the care that they need to get by just walking in the door,” Sally Greenberg, NCL executive director, said during the briefing.2 “...instead, there’s the lack of transparency, then steering them to their own manufacturers, their glasses makers and then charging them these outrageous prices for what should be a very standard level of care.”
References:
US senators introduce VBM reform bill amid growing plan scrutiny. News release. American Optometric Association. May 15, 2025. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://www.aoa.org/news/advocacy/federal-advocacy/us-senators-introduce-vbm-reform-bill-amid-growing-plan-scrutiny
Lawmakers host AOA, patient and consumer advocates for VBM abuse briefing as Congress expands probes. News release. American Optometric Association. September 19, 2024. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://www.aoa.org/news/advocacy/federal-advocacy/lawmakers-host-aoa-patient-and-consumer-advocates-for-vbm-abuse-briefing-as-congress-expands-probes?sso=y
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