This bill aims to enhance children's vision and eye health by amending the Public Health Service Act. It authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities. Eligible entities include states, territories, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian organizations. These awards will fund the development and implementation of statewide early detection and intervention programs related to children's vision and eye health. Grant recipients must use funds for at least three specified activities, such as implementing vision screening, developing integrated data collection, improving access for underserved populations, raising public awareness, and establishing coordinated vision care systems. Recipients are required to collaborate with various community and state partners, including agencies administering Medicaid, CHIP, and IDEA programs, and submit annual reports on their activities and outcomes. The bill also mandates the provision of technical assistance to support these programs. Specifically, the Secretary, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will award grants for technical assistance to develop data systems, disseminate information, conduct applied research, ensure quality monitoring, and assist in coordinating best practices. These technical assistance recipients must evaluate their activities and report to Congress. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $5,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out these programs and evaluations.
Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act of 2024
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Health
Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-2527| House
| Updated: 3/31/2025
This bill aims to enhance children's vision and eye health by amending the Public Health Service Act. It authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities. Eligible entities include states, territories, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian organizations. These awards will fund the development and implementation of statewide early detection and intervention programs related to children's vision and eye health. Grant recipients must use funds for at least three specified activities, such as implementing vision screening, developing integrated data collection, improving access for underserved populations, raising public awareness, and establishing coordinated vision care systems. Recipients are required to collaborate with various community and state partners, including agencies administering Medicaid, CHIP, and IDEA programs, and submit annual reports on their activities and outcomes. The bill also mandates the provision of technical assistance to support these programs. Specifically, the Secretary, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will award grants for technical assistance to develop data systems, disseminate information, conduct applied research, ensure quality monitoring, and assist in coordinating best practices. These technical assistance recipients must evaluate their activities and report to Congress. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $5,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out these programs and evaluations.