As Congress considers its health care initiatives, I would like to highlight a proposal that would help over 6 million seniors in the United States receive services necessary for maintaining their independence. The Medicare Vision Rehabilitation Coverage Act would provide access to vision rehabilitation services for Medicare beneficiaries who report some level of vision impairment and would end up saving Medicare funds. H.R. 2870 would extend Medicare coverage to orientation and mobility specialists, rehabilitation teachers and low vision therapists. These professionals provide critical specialized rehabilitation services to help people with a vision impairment to be able to adjust the loss of sight and carry out normal daily activities. These services can restore a person's independence, improve their quality of life and save unnecessary suffering and expense by preventing injuries.
Vision loss has a powerful impact on one's daily life.
It affects an individual's ability to communicate through reading and writing, manage simple household tasks, move around safely and handle medication. In addition, vision that cannot be corrected by medical or surgical intervention or corrective lenses, is a major contributing factor to falls among older adults which can cause hip fractures and other injuries. The Framingham Eye Study reports that 18 percent of all hip fractures in the elderly are a result of vision impairment. This year alone, it is estimated that 63,000 hip fractures will occur due to vision loss. Savings to Medicare also occur by reducing the need for in-home and nursing home care.