By Phil Kabler

Staff writer for the Charleston Gazette

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A bill to allow optometrists to perform certain surgical procedures on patients' eyes (SB230) remained in limbo for a sixth day Tuesday, as senators debated behind the scenes whether to send the bill to Health and Human Resources Committee.

The measure -- which has caused considerable infighting between optometrists and ophthalmologists -- advanced from the Senate Government Organization Committee on Feb. 10, but the bill has not been reported to the Senate floor.

Senators, huddling during Tuesday's floor session to confer on the issue, were trying to get a headcount on whether there are enough votes to refer the bill to the Health Committee.

Health and Human Resources Chairman Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, said he's leaving it up to the members to decide whether to send the bill to his committee.

However, he said, the integrity of the legislative process will be compromised if the bill is allowed to bypass the committee.

West Virginia Gazette Mail

Section: Perspective

By: Phil Kabler

State ophthalmologists and optometrists have resumed their turf battle this session over who can and who can’t use lasers on people’s eyes – although in the Senate, ironically, the issue won’t be going before the Health & Human Resources Committee.

Well, maybe not so ironically, considering the legendary and ongoing feud between Health and Human Resources Chairman Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, and uber-lobbyist Nelson Robinson, whose long list of clients includes the state Optometric Association.

(In fact, the bill has only one Senate committee reference – Government Organization, which debated the issue without resolution for an hour last week in front of a packed-to-the-rafters crown of interested parties.)

Prezio was quietly fuming when I raised the issue of how a bill (SB230) affecting the public’s health could possibly bypass the health committee.

By Ry Rivard

Charleston Daily Mail Capitol Reporter

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As many as 4,800 West Virginia drivers failed a Department of Motor Vehicles eye examination last year, the agency estimates.

A year after a state law took effect mandating the exams for license renewal, about 400 of the 21,000 drivers who come into renew their license each month have failed, said Steve Dale, deputy DMV commissioner.

He said the numbers were a ballpark figure. There are about 1.3 million drivers in West Virginia.

Mark Your Calendar 

Bring Your Technicians and Administrators

JCAHPO Credit

CME

Friday, June 25, 2010

      1:30   Golf Tee Times Scheduled

      8:00-9:00pm  One-hour CME program from OMIC will be offered - for the 3% discount against your malpractice insurance 

      9:00-11:00pm  Welcome Reception 

Saturday, June 26, 2010

      8:30-4:30 pm  Physician Programming

      8:30-4:30 pm  Technician Programming

      8:30-4:30 pm  Administrator Programming 

      5:30-7:30 pm  Reception and Boat Ride 

Sunday, June 27, 2010

      7:30-12:00 pm Physician Programming 

This will be a two-day meeting (Saturday/Sunday) for Physicians

and

One-day meeting (Saturday) for Technicians and Administrators 

More information including registration materials coming to website:  www.wveyemd.org