The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) has joined 12 other organizations in support of the Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Act, The National Herald reported late last week.

The bill, reintroduced by Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-12) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), would help visually impaired Medicare beneficiaries live safe and independent lives by creating a five-year national demonstration project to evaluate the economic impact of allowing reimbursement for low vision devices. Such devices are currently excluded from Medicare coverage.

The legislation was first introduced in the 116th Congress in 2019 and had 25 original co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.

“Although most of our members receive their low vision devices from the Department of Veterans Affairs, having Medicare coverage would offer more choice to visually impaired veterans who are Medicare eligible, especially those who live in rural areas far away from a VA Medical Center or VA Community Care provider,” said BVA National President Joseph D. McNeil, Sr. “This also benefits the spouses who aren’t eligible to receive low vision devices from VA.”

Representative Bilirakis, a visually impaired American himself, believes the legislation is a preventative measure that will help seniors stay healthy, active, and self-sufficient for a longer period of time as they access low vision assistive devices that have previously been out of reach for seniors on a fixed income.

For additional information about The Medicare Low Vision Devices Act of 2022 and the organizations joining BVA in support, (CLICK HERE).