2026 Legislative Recap: Amplifying Diverse Voices on Vision Care
Across the country, 2026 state legislative sessions brought renewed attention to vision care. These legislative debates also demonstrated the important role advocacy can play in protecting affordability, consumer choice, and access to quality vision care.
Lawmakers considered legislation that could have negatively impacted vision care for consumers in Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Washington. Proposals included provisions that would have made it difficult for patients to shop around for the best value, reduce access to certain consumer discounts, and increase costs for eye exams in several states.
Advocacy Played an Important Role in Several States
Strong engagement from Alliance members, consumers, employers, health plans, and other stakeholders helped prevent many of these proposals from advancing. Check out our interactive map for more information about 2026 vision care bills in each state.
Iowa offered a clear example of how coordinated advocacy can influence the legislative process. House File 2249 did not become law in part after Alliance members, consumers, and other stakeholders raised concerns about how the proposals could affect the cost and accessibility of vision care in Iowa. The outcome reinforced an important lesson from 2026: when policymakers hear directly from the people and organizations affected by vision care policy, they are better equipped to understand the real-world impact on patients, families, employers, and providers.
Not every proposal that advanced through the legislative process had the same outcome. In Illinois, Senate Bill 3707 ultimately passed, with significant changes made to the original proposal along the way. Alliance members and other stakeholders engaged in a dialogue with legislators that helped ensure the final legislation reflected a range of perspectives while preserving consumers’ access to affordable vision care.
Louisiana Law Signals Challenges to Come
Not every state saw that kind of outcome. In Louisiana, Senate Bill 404 was enacted as Act 384. The law includes provisions affecting discounts available through certain eye care providers and limits the ability of consumers to know where to seek the best value. The Alliance for Affordable Vision Care continues to evaluate the potential implications for affordability, transparency, and consumer choice.
Although the legislation has been enacted, the Alliance remains committed to educating consumers and policymakers about the importance of maintaining affordable, accessible vision care. Louisiana's law also demonstrates the importance of sustained advocacy, ensuring Alliance voices are heard as policymakers in other states consider similar proposals.
An Important Development in Texas
There were also significant developments outside the state legislative process. In Texas, a federal court ruled that portions of House Bill 1696, which was passed in 2023, violated commercial free speech protections. The decision highlights the importance of transparency and the need to protect consumers’ ability to access information that can help them make informed decisions about their eye care.
Together, these developments demonstrate that the policy landscape surrounding vision care extends beyond state legislatures. Courts, regulators, policymakers, employers, and consumers all have a role to play in protecting access to information and affordable vision care.
Looking Ahead to 2027
While many of the legislative proposals considered in 2026 did not advance, the issues behind them have not disappeared and similar legislation is likely to return in future sessions. The recent legislative session demonstrated what is possible when consumers, employers, health plans, providers, and other stakeholders engage with policymakers and make their voices heard. It also reinforced the importance of building a strong, informed coalition prepared to respond as new proposals emerge.
As the 2027 legislative sessions approach, we need your voice. Consider joining the Alliance for Affordable Vision Care, signing up for our newsletter and following us on social media including Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Alliance for Affordable Vision Care will continue working alongside consumers, employers, health plans, and other stakeholders to support policies that preserve affordability, protect consumer choice, promote transparency, and ensure patients can continue accessing the vision care they need.