By Passing Bill to Provide Coverage For Kids Through Grants That Support Expansion of Visual Health Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, joined U.S. House colleagues from both parties today in supporting a bill to expand access to vision care for underserved children.  The Vision Care for Kids Act (H.R. 577) identifies children who may have vision problems, and provides for subsequent exams and tests.  Rehberg, who has been a vocal advocate for children’s health care in Congress, is a cosponsor of the bill.

          “I’ve said it before, no child in Montana should ever have to live without health coverage and that includes visual care,” said Rehberg a member of the House Appropriations Committee and one of 40 Republicans that crossed party lines to support expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program.  “The impact of undiagnosed visual problems at a young age can stick with someone for the rest of their lives.  This bill takes a big step toward identifying visual deficiencies and a huge step toward solving them so kids can get on with just being kids.”

          The Parent Teacher Association reports that as many as ten million children suffer from vision disorders, making it the fourth most common disability in the United States. Undetected and untreated vision deficiencies can take a large toll in education and development, especially among children. Similar legislation was passed in the House in 2007 but failed to pass in the Senate