[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 172 (Sunday, November 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 FAIRNESS TO CONTACT LENS CONSUMERS ACT

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                               speech of

                    HON. F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, JR.

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2003

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3140, 
``The Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act of 2003,'' which provides 
contact lens wearers with important new rights. This bill ensures that 
unscrupulous eye doctors will no longer be able hold consumers' contact 
lens prescriptions hostage, forcing them to purchase lenses solely from 
their doctor's office. In addition, this legislation will make shopping 
for lenses simpler and cheaper.
  Currently, eye doctors are only required to give patients their 
prescriptions for eyeglasses. Eyeglass wearers have had this right 
since 1978, when the Federal Trade Commission issued a regulation 
granting eyeglass wearers the right to automatically receive a copy of 
their prescription following an exam. Contact lenses were 
understandably not included in this regulation because, at the time, 
most contacts were hard lenses, which were custom-made to fit each 
patient. Today, most contact lenses are mass produced, soft lenses that 
do not require manipulation by eye doctors. As a result of this 
improvement, today's contact lens wearers should have the same right as 
eyeglass wearers to obtain their prescription, at no additional charge. 
That is why I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Fairness to 
Contact Lens Consumers Act.
  Approximately 36 million Americans wear contact lenses. Each year, 
these Americans spend an estimated $3.5 billion on contact lenses. 
Providing consumers with an automatic right to their prescriptions will 
allow them to shop around for contact lenses based on price, service, 
and convenience. It is estimated that H.R. 3140 could save consumers 
approximately $350 million annually, thanks in large part to increased 
competition. Competition among contact lens companies will result in 
lower prices, a greater choice of lens providers, and more convenient 
ways to fill contact lens prescriptions.
  H.R. 3140 is bipartisan legislation supported by both optometrists 
and retailers. I have been working on this issue for a number of years, 
and am pleased to ``see'' it pass the House in a bipartisan manner. I 
encourage the Senate to take up this bill and help contact lens wearers 
receive this right.

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