Editorial Calls for Stand-Alone Vision Coverage in Exchanges

Ever since the passage of the federal health reform law in 2010, the "question of how vision care will be implemented has been one big blur," a San Jose Mercury News editorial states. It adds that HHS soon will rule on whether state health insurance exchanges should allow for stand-alone vision insurance plans, or whether vision care only will be available from comprehensive medical insurers. The editorial argues that the Obama administration should "elevate the importance of routine vision care by allowing the 13.4 million Californians and 60 million Americans who use stand-alone vision plans to retain their current eye doctors and insurance coverage."

• "Health Care Reform Must Allow Stand-Alone Vision Plans" (San Jose Mercury News, 12/26/11).