[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6198284,"mediaKeyId","3848145-1d54a7cb422dd08e880633026995dee4","parentId",3848145,"title","Lawmakers weigh online prescription renewals for contacts; optometrists urge verification, retailers promote safety system","audioSeconds",1568,"startMs",1824000,"endMs",3392000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3848145-1d54a7cb422dd08e880633026995dee4&start=1824&end=3392","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3848145-1d54a7cb422dd08e880633026995dee4/thumbnail_1824000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6198284/Michigan/Lawmakers-weigh-online-prescription-renewals-for-contacts-optometrists-urge-verification-retailers-promote-safety-system","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198284-239beca868fdceb919cdbb86689daf3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1774499305&Signature=XLJSRol7R3p1887WHlfRdFli21y81ilvNJ9KWbZsLP0mvjWxmzPsAaAZh1gv9NDXUR~gPPT5oCB2MpI9-UUWUhaYjkkpSiYym68AlWhy3c9c1Jv7sIebOLmArXGfO-Br8utwNn56FapX2pg3wsN5Nu5gjhtALAXDf3NE9jRkLvdTjKVvDvWMb1xSykUBr46bSReadnHviDYgyuuCzyj9KHDjfIumTm07u2PxxNraw6gp2mjg5O8lQPw4ObaICEZjNClDsZDdbjL1qZPm3UYJbtQh-xu-gzIlQFzqYE07oel5Ab1WkICO~UPj5ffHS~NLApI~W~9PNRGSZMDzdFDdcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Michigan ","date","2025-06-11T00:00:00Z","article","Representative VanderWaal introduced House Bill 45‑58 as legislation to allow online prescription renewals for contact lenses provided the patient had received a valid in-person prescription within the prior two years. \"This means that every other year, they would be able to renew their prescription and restock on contact lenses online through a telemedicine process without having to go into the eye doctor,\" the chair said.

Supporters told the committee the bill expands access and competition. Jack Baum of Americans for Tax Reform said the bill \"modernizes outdated restrictions\" and noted 42 states allow similar renewals. David Gunther of the Mackinac Center emphasized consumer convenience and rural access, arguing routine renewals can free clinicians to focus on more complex cases.

The Michigan Optometric Association (MOA) — represented by Dr. Whitney Genrich, Dr. Erica Johnson Carter and Dr. Jennifer Shadd — urged revisions. They said the bill’s current language would create two classes of prescriptions by allowing online renewals that could change aspects of a contact-lens prescription other than power (for example base curve, diameter or brand). They warned that changing those parameters without an in-person fitting could risk corneal injury or other complications. \"This would not be a renewal, but instead result in a whole new prescription of the contact lens,\" Dr. Genrich said.

Optometrists recommended requiring online providers to obtain or verify the patient’s prior in-person prescription rather than relying on patients to self-report the prior date or prescription details. They flagged a known commercial practice: online sellers may proceed if a prescriber does not deny a transmission within an eight‑hour window, which can allow a sale to complete outside office hours.

Physicians and industry witnesses described how online renewal platforms operate. Eric Castaneda of 1‑800 Contacts described the Express Exam process: patients complete a health questionnaire, submit images, perform a visual acuity check and then a licensed physician in the patient’s state reviews the data. He said about 30% of patients are screened out by the platform and referred to in-person care, and that physicians, not companies, make the final prescribing decision.

Committee members asked about reported harms, the sufficiency of two‑year intervals for in-person exams, the accuracy of patient-entered prescription data and whether a statutory verification requirement would impede cross-state telemedicine practice tied to interstate licensure. The MOA said it would be neutral or potentially supportive if statutory language was amended to require verification and to ensure online renewals do not alter fitting parameters; the association offered to supply draft language.

No committee vote was taken on HB 45‑58 during this hearing; the record shows extensive pro and con testimony and follow-up requests for clarifying bill language.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Health Policy | Wednesday, June 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 45‑58 would let patients renew contact lens prescriptions online if they had an in-person prescription within the past two years; witnesses split between expanding access and urging verification and guardrails.","taxTitle","Health Policy, House of Representative, Committees\t\t\t\t\t, Legislative, Michigan","taxId",27466,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6198290,"Health Policy Committee reports two house bills to the floor by voice/roll call votes",1252,186000,1438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3848145-1d54a7cb422dd08e880633026995dee4&start=186&end=1438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3848145-1d54a7cb422dd08e880633026995dee4/thumbnail_186000.jpg","/articles/6198290/Michigan/Health-Policy-Committee-reports-two-house-bills-to-the-floor-by-voiceroll-call-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198290-5e9666a6050e951096493e313d9df13c/orig.mp4?Expires=1774499305&Signature=VZYnWNHpdfz0mh5rTnBwgTCWjuSy3qQpkwWW4ZL3-V0Q4g0mjLhZLzzSQFJV4HEWbA4OyFt4k2oYW~EdlnIwC2Qt4Eqrl2arGFtb6Clwx~y29U3IYZy6nmmXDaJva7dniI-UPP8fzMgL1~EEMsJbbMBCFdEFxA1ZuaSVQym5anXUfQe8ew86ufT56M3-BUvfsu3gBr2Q02v26c-4E2aZwysi7qzqZt3pNt-YvYIqLB9cV1qd~04Flyhl74pbP~VbTx0rTDRDkwG5umUIbwN~3IbbzoT62afLzp5gUMgo1af~5R2zb0PLQw1XWc5deKvZ1em5zEkaCl2ADG~uo9fKHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair VanderWaal opened the meeting and the clerk recorded attendance; the committee reached a quorum. Representative Schmaltz moved to adopt the minutes of the June 4 meeting; \"There being no objection, the motion passes,\" the chair said.

Representative Frisbie moved that House Bill 45‑27 be reported to the floor with recommendation as amended by a new substitute. The clerk called roll and the record shows 16 yeas, 0 nays, 0 passes; the clerk announced \"The motion prevails.\" Later, Representative Tisdale moved that House Bill 45‑28 be reported to the floor with recommendation as amended by a new substitute. The same roll call result was announced: 16 yeas, 0 nays, 0 passes; \"The motion prevails.\"

The committee then proceeded to other agenda items. The minutes-adoption and the two roll-call motions are recorded actions in the committee minutes for this session.","The Health Policy Committee voted to report House Bill 45‑27 and House Bill 45‑28 to the House floor with recommendations (both passed by recorded roll call), and adopted minutes from a prior meeting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6198295,"Supporters tell committee reinstating interstate medical licensure compact preserves telehealth access",143,1512000,1655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3848145-1d54a7cb422dd08e880633026995dee4&start=1512&end=1655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3848145-1d54a7cb422dd08e880633026995dee4/thumbnail_1512000.jpg","/articles/6198295/Michigan/Supporters-tell-committee-reinstating-interstate-medical-licensure-compact-preserves-telehealth-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198295-c9da918d404a71b0f745e6590b6461ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1774499305&Signature=Wb7LRvlmKaxQyoBIkHQspBk41Tyx-3bxyK-ihz0AeENM0hXMVOd~iP8S2XtATTKZ5jk2sWiPgyi45z2cU-bY2miffKgvACSDgG2b4lHFTfPT9hVgbm370Mfgc3ekThxhdlsRuo2ie8WglHa2x8gjginI2JIhWdZzDLIK8z9Rvzsk3jXMXZUI4Uq3jtx8X3R4qZr0VRjx9HYSzX1FX2oCg8mUbeCkF6TC5uxuhiDQtqU9RTSy~XS7qpuhtQG3A-mpn-q17IDXxr8NAc65JPtq-8bbP~gsxvblxNCdGyVfXAagnPyIzqz8X7lY25fBLp1LRxKJRnOcw4bJvBVEfBwrgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adam Carlson and Taylor Elpert of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association testified in favor of Senate Bill 303, which would restore Michigan’s participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact after a statutory sunset. \"There are 40 states currently in the compact, roughly 3,500 physicians in the state of Michigan who are licensed through the compact,\" Carlson told the committee.

Carlson said a compact sunset earlier in March created a risk that Michigan physicians could lose streamlined licensure status and that the bill would \"make sure that those physicians don't have their licenses disrupted at all going forward.\" Elpert explained the compact’s operational benefits: physicians in compact states can more easily obtain licensure to practice in other member states, which supports telehealth access in rural areas and helps recruitment and retention of clinicians.

Elpert also told the committee that compact members can \"share disciplinary and investigative information\" to maintain licensure standards and protect patients. Committee members asked whether the March sunset has already caused physician disruptions; Carlson said the compact process includes a grace period — if Michigan rejoins in time there should be no immediate impact on physicians.

Multiple industry groups filed in support (recorded by the clerk), and committee members indicated support for moving the bill forward. The committee did not take a final floor vote on the bill in this session; the hearing record shows invited testimony and committee questions.","Michigan health system representatives urged the committee to reinstate the state’s participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to avoid disrupting telehealth practice by roughly 3,500 physicians and to preserve cross-state disciplinary information sharing.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6198300,"Physician, family and teen tell Michigan committee about impacts of rare kidney disease FSGS",1119,250000,1369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3848145-1d54a7cb422dd08e880633026995dee4&start=250&end=1369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3848145-1d54a7cb422dd08e880633026995dee4/thumbnail_250000.jpg","/articles/6198300/Michigan/Physician-family-and-teen-tell-Michigan-committee-about-impacts-of-rare-kidney-disease-FSGS","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198300-e79d0a644b513aa9f9c7fc4a42a0a3c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1774499305&Signature=ap~YW9L8m7MTFDoy~jA7RB11CDFItZZ-A5ueKeTK~jvnjAizBAJXseSeuSaUYx8ljarQCL7DPlXBxWVEzj05rO2Fe~BFawSkzJ8Oh5wExmofCtxznKFbGJ8S7wImUwsAEDd0o75K1XqWIoDx4UDMZhC2T8zZKLbwqLDlC5Zoyautc55LoVTwgT67sDO6rDKlEOQuI1Gd6d2a0WASF-0bC8drAls~Ji1gFe7-TcCS7937rrlMRyNI5wxU5tKuy4M~Y4owUGIH136U29tllAjOZ~DZ-YeiNHpRrIVTfvQCkaNkWNXOrT7PX6DIDpZJgHx343Iah6lQEGhGXQa6fTWDdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Zubin Modi, a pediatric nephrologist and researcher at the University of Michigan, told the Health Policy Committee that focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, or FSGS, is a rare kidney disease that can lead to heavy protein loss, swelling and, in many cases, progression to end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis or transplant. \"There are currently no FDA approved therapies for this disease,\" Modi said.

The committee heard personal testimony from Sashay Walker, who described her son Aiden’s decade-long fight with recurrent FSGS. \"Aiden was diagnosed with FSGS when he was 8 years old,\" Walker said. She said he later developed kidney failure, received two transplants that failed because the disease recurred, spent extended periods on dialysis and underwent dozens of procedures. Their testimony stressed gaps in diagnosis and long-term treatment options.

The physicians and family emphasized three main needs: earlier and better screening to shorten patients’ diagnostic odysseys; use of telehealth to expand access to pediatric nephrology care in rural parts of the state; and clearer regulatory and trial pathways to spur drug development. Modi said researchers and industry have worked with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on registries and endpoints that could enable clinical trials and eventual approvals.

Committee members responded with questions about disease causes, prognosis and regulatory progress. Modi said some forms of FSGS are secondary to infections or medications but that most idiopathic cases are immune-related and may have genetic contributors. He described ongoing international registry work with FDA statisticians to define trial endpoints, and said that work has been \"pretty successful\" and could enable sponsors to pursue therapies.

Aiden, who identified himself to the committee, described school and daily-life impacts: \"School is difficult... Just life is difficult in general,\" he said, adding that treatments and dialysis fatigue limit normal activities. Committee members thanked the family and researchers for presenting firsthand and asked technical and policy questions about clinical trials and access.

The committee did not take formal action on policy during the testimony; the session consisted of invited testimony and a period of questions from committee members. The record shows lawmakers asked about causes, prognosis and the FDA engagement Modi described.","A pediatric nephrologist, a mother and her teenage son described how focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) affects patients and families, urged earlier screening, telehealth access and regulatory pathways for treatments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers weigh online prescription renewals for contacts; optometrists urge verification, retailers promote safety system

Health Policy Committee reports two house bills to the floor by voice/roll call votes

Supporters tell committee reinstating interstate medical licensure compact preserves telehealth access

Physician, family and teen tell Michigan committee about impacts of rare kidney disease FSGS