I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2697 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 4, 2009 Ms. Schakowsky (for herself and Mr. Hall of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require Medicaid coverage of professional services of optometrists that are otherwise covered when furnished by a physician.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Optometric Equity in Medicaid Act of 2009.

2.

Requiring medicaid coverage of professional services of optometrists that are otherwise covered when furnished by a physician

(a)

In general

Section 1905(a)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(5)) is amended— (1)by striking and before (B); and (2)by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: , and (C) medical and other health services as defined in section 1861(s) and as authorized by State law, furnished by an optometrist (described in section 1861(r)(4)) to the extent such services may be performed under State law either by a doctor of medicine or by a doctor of optometry and would be described in clause (A) if furnished by a physician (as defined in section 1861(r)(1)). (b)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.