Georgia committee holds hearing on bill to incentivize optometrists in rural areas

Rep. Dean Green introduced House Bill 6 59 on behalf of lawmakers seeking to attract optometrists to rural Georgia, saying the measure would allow optometrists to appear before the workforce board to qualify for loan forgiveness if they locate in designated rural areas.

"We are in a dire strait for optometrists," Rep. Dean Green told the committee during the hearing. He said the bill grew out of work by the House Rural Development Council and is modeled on an earlier program for dentists.

Aubrey Valines, general counsel for the Georgia Optometric Association, told the committee the bill "just adds optometrists to the list of those who can go in front of the workforce committee, the board, and possibly get their loan forgiven if they locate in a rural area." Valines said there are "1,406 optometrists in the state approximately. 85 percent of them stay in Atlanta in the metropolitan area." He said the bill, as written, requires accompanying funding and that the hearing was to consider the policy and identify needed resources.

Committee members and witnesses described widespread vacancies in rural practices and noted that Georgia currently does not have an in-state optometry school. Green and others said students trained in-state are more likely to remain nearby; Green said Georgia now sends many students to schools in Memphis, Tennessee, and Birmingham, Alabama.

Several members recommended complementary steps to the loan-forgiveness idea. Rep. Al Williams proposed creating a statewide roundtable of retired and practicing rural optometrists to mentor students and promote the profession in rural communities. "Let's put, if possible, a round table of retired optometrists and even some active ones to be a round table or a group that can go and talk to young students and talk to people about optometry," Williams said.

Other lawmakers described local impacts from clinic closures and retirements. Committee members said some rural residents must travel to Dothan, Alabama, or to Albany, Ga., for eye care after nearby practices closed. Rep. Cameron asked whether patients cross state lines for care; a committee witness confirmed some travel to Alabama and to Albany.

No funding level or appropriation was presented at the hearing. Members repeatedly noted that the program would require an appropriation and that additional discussions with Appropriations would be needed. Rep. Osteen and other members urged support to secure funding in the next session.

Representatives and association leaders said the bill aims to create short-term incentives to fill current vacancies while exploring longer-term solutions, including the possibility of establishing an optometry school in Georgia. The committee took testimony and did not take a final vote at the hearing.

The hearing record shows committee members expressed broad support for the bill's goal, but funding specifics and implementation details were not provided. Committee leadership and association representatives said they will continue conversations about funding, mentoring programs, and possible educational initiatives.

Meeting housekeeping: the committee chair reminded members of a committee dinner scheduled for the 12th; RSVPs were requested. The committee then adjourned.