(1) Millions of children in the United States suf-
fer from vision problems, many of which go unde-
tected. Because children with vision problems can 
struggle developmentally, resulting in physical, emo-
tional, and social consequences, good vision is essen-
tial for proper physical development and educational 
progress. 
(2) Vision problems in children range from com-
mon conditions such as refractive errors, amblyopia, 
strabismus, ocular trauma, and infections, to rare but 
potentially life- or sight-threatening problems such as 
retinoblastoma, infantile cataracts, congenital glau-
coma, and genetic or metabolic diseases of the eye. 
(3) Since many serious ocular conditions are 
treatable if identified in the preschool and early 
school-age years, early detection provides the best op-
portunity for effective treatment and can have far- 
reaching implications for vision. 
(4) Various identification methods, including vi-
sion screening and comprehensive eye examinations 
required by State laws, can be helpful in identifying 
children needing services. A child identified as need-
ing services through vision screening should receive a 
comprehensive eye examination followed by subse-
quent treatment as needed. Any child identified as 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:07 Oct 16, 2007
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H507.RH
H507
bajohnson on PROD1PC71 with BILLS
needing services should have access to subsequent 
treatment as needed. 
(5) There is a need to increase public awareness 
about the prevalence and devastating consequences of 
vision disorders in children and to educate the public 
and health care providers about the warning signs 
and symptoms of ocular and vision disorders and the 
benefits of early detection, evaluation, and treatment. 
SEC. 3. GRANTS REGARDING VISION CARE FOR CHILDREN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health and 
Human Services (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Sec-
retary’’), acting through the Director of the Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Prevention, may award grants to States 
on the basis of an established review process for the purpose 
of complementing existing State efforts for— 
(1) providing comprehensive eye examinations 
by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for chil-
dren who have been previously identified through a 
vision screening or eye examination by a licensed 
health care provider or vision screener as needing 
such services, with priority given to children who are 
under the age of 9 years; 
(2) providing treatment or services, subsequent to 
the examinations described in paragraph (1), nec-
essary to correct vision problems; and 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:07 Oct 16, 2007
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H507.RH
H507
bajohnson on PROD1PC71 with BILLS
(3) developing and disseminating, to parents, 
teachers, and health care practitioners, educational 
materials on recognizing signs of visual impairment 
in children. 
(b) CRITERIA AND COORDINATION.— 
(1) CRITERIA.—The Secretary, in consultation 
with appropriate professional and patient organiza-
tions including individuals with knowledge of age ap-
propriate vision services, shall develop criteria— 
(A) governing the operation of the grant 
program under subsection (a); and 
(B) for the collection of data related to vi-
sion assessment and the utilization of follow-up 
services. 
(2) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall, as ap-
propriate, coordinate the program under subsection 
(a) with the program under section 330 of the Public 
Health Service Act (relating to health centers) (42 
U.S.C. 254b), the program under title XIX of the So-
cial Security Act (relating to the Medicaid program) 
(42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), the program under title XXI 
of such Act (relating to the State children’s health in-
surance program) (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.), and 
with other Federal or State programs that provide 
services to children. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:07 Oct 16, 2007
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H507.RH
H507
bajohnson on PROD1PC71 with BILLS
(c) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under subsection (a), a State shall submit to the Secretary 
an application in such form, made in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
including— 
(1) information on existing Federal, Federal- 
State, or State-funded children’s vision programs; 
(2) a plan for the use of grant funds, including 
how funds will be used to complement existing State 
efforts (including possible partnerships with non-prof-
it entities); 
(3) a plan to determine if a grant eligible child 
has been identified as provided for in subsection (a); 
and 
(4) a description of how funds will be used to 
provide items or services, only as a secondary 
payer— 
(A) for an eligible child, to the extent that 
the child is not covered for the items or services 
under any State compensation program, under 
an insurance policy, or under any Federal or 
State health benefits program; or 
(B) for an eligible child, to the extent that 
the child receives the items or services from an 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:07 Oct 16, 2007
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H507.RH
H507
bajohnson on PROD1PC71 with BILLS
entity that provides health services on a prepaid 
basis. 
(d) EVALUATIONS.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under subsection (a), a State shall agree that, not later than 
1 year after the date on which amounts under the grant 
are first received by the State, and annually thereafter 
while receiving amounts under the grant, the State will sub-
mit to the Secretary an evaluation of the operations and 
activities carried out under the grant, including— 
(1) an assessment of the utilization of vision 
services and the status of children receiving these serv-
ices as a result of the activities carried out under the 
grant; 
(2) the collection, analysis, and reporting of chil-
dren’s vision data according to guidelines prescribed 
by the Secretary; and 
(3) such other information as the Secretary may 
require. 
(e) LIMITATIONS
IN EXPENDITURE
OF GRANT.—A 
grant may be made under subsection (a) only if the State 
involved agrees that the State will not expend more than 
20 percent of the amount received under the grant to carry 
out the purpose described in paragraph (3) of such sub-
section. 
(f) MATCHING FUNDS.— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:07 Oct 16, 2007
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H507.RH
H507
bajohnson on PROD1PC71 with BILLS