[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    VISION CARE FOR KIDS ACT OF 20O7

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                               speech of

                          HON. DAVID LOEBSACK

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 15, 2007

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 507, the 
Vision Care for Kids Act of 2007. I applaud Congressman Green for 
introducing this important legislation and for recognizing the 
importance of vision screening for our children.
  It is estimated that one in four children in school and one in twenty 
children in preschool develop eye disorders. Screening for vision 
problems in children is extremely important as it can be difficult to 
recognize these types of problems in children, and children are often 
not capable of expressing they are experiencing vision issues.
  Amblyopia is cited as the most common vision problem in children. 
This affects one or both eyes and can lead to permanent vision loss and 
long term problems. As many as 9,000 children in Iowa under the age of 
4 suffer from this problem. Thankfully for children in Iowa, the 
University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and 
the Lions Club of Iowa teamed up in 2000 to create a program called 
Iowa KidSight. Iowa KidSight provides free vision screening for infants 
and young children throughout every county in Iowa and also serves to 
educate parents and the public on the benefits of vision screening.
  Since 2000, Iowa KidSight has screened over 90,300 children from the 
ages of 6 years to 48 months. Unfortunately not every child who is 
referred to see a specialist is able to do so for a variety of reasons, 
which is why the Vision Care for Kids Act is so important. This 
legislation will help supplement the program in my state and others by 
awarding grants to help ensure these children are able to see a 
licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist, receive the treatment they 
need, and also inform and educate parents, teachers, and others who 
work with children on recognizing early signs of vision problems.
  Detecting early signs of vision problems in children and getting them 
the medical attention they need can be crucial for development and 
well-being for the rest of their lives. The Vision Care for Kids Act 
recognizes this fact and will make significant improvements in the 
amount of children who are able to receive the care they need to learn 
and grow. I strongly support H.R. 507, the Vision Care for Kids Act and 
urge its passage.

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