American Optometric Association’s 2025 Advocacy Efforts Set the Stage for 2026, Group Says

ST. LOUIS—The American Optometric Association (AOA) announced that it achieved several significant federal and state advocacy achievements for doctors and patients in 2025, including securing a 2.5 percent increase in Medicare physician reimbursement for 2026, reversing a scheduled pay cut; a suite of tax benefits for optometry practices; and recognizing AOA as a physician-level certifying body for required controlled substance training. These efforts set the stage for 2026 as advocates look to March 15-17 for AOA on Capitol Hill | AOA Federal Keyperson Summit, the group said.