As a registered nurse, former state senator, and current Senior Vice President of State Affairs at National Taxpayers Union (NTU), I’ve spent much of my career advocating for practical solutions that empower individuals, improve healthcare access, and protect taxpayers. One bill under consideration in Michigan—HB 4558—checks every one of those boxes, and lawmakers should seize the opportunity to support it.
At its core, HB 4558 aims to make eye care more accessible and affordable by utilizing telemedicine. It would enable patients to renew their vision prescriptions online, provided safety standards are met. That’s a win for innovation, a win for patients, and a win for fiscal responsibility.
Consider the cost difference: a traditional in-person vision exam for prescription renewal can cost up to $200. A comparable online screening? Around $20. For families struggling to stretch every dollar, that savings is meaningful. And when consumers can save without compromising care, the result is not just better health outcomes, but also more economic freedom.
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