New Hampshire governor vetoes HB 349, protecting patient safety in eye surgery
The AMA applauds Governor Kelly Ayotte’s decisive veto of House Bill 349, legislation that would have permitted optometrists to perform complex eye surgeries in New Hampshire. In a strong and principled statement, Governor Ayotte reaffirmed the importance of patient safety and high-quality care, emphasizing that eye surgery must be performed by physicians with extensive clinical and surgical training.
HB 349 raised serious concerns, as it would have authorized optometrists to perform intricate surgical procedures on and around the eye. As AMA CEO John Whyte, MD, MPH, noted in his letter (PDF) to Governor Ayotte urging the veto, optometrists are essential providers of routine vision care, but only ophthalmologists—who complete four years of medical school followed by four to six years of residency and fellowship training—are qualified to manage and safely perform surgery on and around the eye.
Governor Ayotte’s veto statement highlighted her commitment to both accessible and safe care, noting that New Hampshire has expanded eye care access in rural areas through innovative market-based solutions without compromising patient safety. She explained that laser eye surgeries are not minor procedures and that complications can lead to permanent vision loss. “Even if most of these procedures go as planned, complications can require the full spectrum of surgical skills and training that only ophthalmologists as physicians possess.” The governor respectfully acknowledged the important contributions of optometrists to vision health, while underlining the vital distinction between surgical and non-surgical eye care.
The AMA commends Governor Ayotte for her leadership and steadfast commitment to patients in New Hampshire ensuring that eye surgery remains the domain of fully trained physicians.
The AMA also congratulates the New Hampshire Medical Society (NHMS) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology for their tireless advocacy efforts, which were instrumental in securing this important veto. The AMA was proud to support NHMS’s advocacy efforts through a Scope of Practice Partnership grant.
