Introduced
February 26, 2026
Mr. Veasey (for himself and Mr. Bilirakis) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of February 2026 as “Low Vision and Vision Impairment Awareness Month”.
- (1) expresses support for raising awareness about low vision and vision impairment;
- (2) recognizes the impact of preventable vision impairment and blindness on Americans, including effects on personal independence, quality of life, workforce participation, community health, national productivity, and health care costs;
- (3) supports access to appropriate and relevant health information about risk for eye disease and vision impairments in working age adults and aging Americans—particularly as they relate to chronic disease—and supports access to appropriate health information regarding access to vision care and eye health services at the appropriate practice level (such as optometrists, ophthalmologists, or retina specialists) and community level (such as in community health centers or federally qualified health centers);
- (4) promotes access to appropriate and relevant information including access to eye care, support services, and assistive devices to parents, caregivers, families, providers, and communities about the importance of optimal vision to a child’s cognitive functioning and motor skill development, social engagement and emotional connection, learning and academic success, and long-term personal and occupational opportunity; and
- (5) affirms the commitment of Congress to encourage the Secretary of Health and Human Services to—
- (A) provide information to patients and health care providers with respect to age-related macular degeneration, including geographic atrophy, neurological causes of vision loss, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, refractive errors, dry eye, amblyopia, color blindness, and other eye diseases, including available screening tools and treatment options, with a goal of improving quality of life and health outcomes;
- (B) prioritize and conduct essential surveillance of vision loss, eye disease, and eye conditions that lead to vision loss, visual impairment, low vision, and blindness through the Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS);
- (C) conduct additional research on the aforementioned eye diseases and others, including appropriate support services and treatments; and
- (D) convene patients, caregivers, and eye care providers and researchers to develop and disseminate evidence-based information, tools, and studies to help Americans experiencing the aforementioned eye diseases and others related to vision impairment and blindness preserve, protect, and support their vision health.