The Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee convened on February 21, 2025, to discuss House Bill 218, which seeks to expand the scope of practice for optometrists in Montana. The meeting featured testimonies from various proponents advocating for the bill, emphasizing the need for improved access to eye care in rural areas of the state.

The first speaker, a representative from the optometry community, highlighted the successful track record of optometrists across 12 states, where over 46,000 procedures have been performed safely and effectively. The speaker argued that Montana optometrists are already well-trained to handle complex procedures and urged committee members to support the bill to enhance care accessibility for all residents, regardless of their location.

Dr. John Kolstad, a long-time optometrist serving five counties in Northeastern Montana, shared personal anecdotes illustrating the challenges faced by rural patients. He described the lengthy travel times required for patients to reach specialized care, often taking several hours. Kolstad recounted stories of elderly patients who struggle to access necessary treatments, emphasizing the emotional toll on both patients and providers when timely care is not available.

Kolstad's testimony included specific examples of patients who have faced significant barriers to receiving care, including a bedridden veteran unable to travel for treatment and a woman with a potentially cancerous growth who had to wait months for a specialist appointment. He underscored the urgency of the situation, stating that many rural residents are left with no choice but to endure long journeys for basic medical procedures.

The meeting concluded with a call for action, as proponents of House Bill 218 urged committee members to recognize the pressing need for expanded optometric services in rural Montana. The committee is expected to deliberate on the bill in the coming weeks, with advocates hopeful for a positive outcome that would improve healthcare access for underserved populations across the state.