Gary W. Floyd, MD — a pediatrician practicing in Fort Worth, board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics — writes in opposition to House Bill 1798 in his op-ed for the Fort Worth Star Telegram: 

Much has changed over the 30 years I’ve been practicing pediatrics...

...but what has not changed is the importance of a medical degree and residency training to prepare a physician to practice medicine and perform surgery.

That is why it is so shocking to read House Bill 1798, which invites thousands of optometrists — who do not have medical degrees or surgical residency training — to perform over 100 delicate eye surgeries conducted using lasers, scalpels, and needles.

It is alarming that anyone would want to legislate a shortcut into the operating room, not to mention writing a bill that would grant thousands of optometrists the ability to write prescriptions for the narcotic hydrocodone, when many communities in this country are grappling with an opioid addiction epidemic.

Put plainly, House Bill 1798 would jeopardize patient safety in our great state.

If you agree with Dr. Floyd, then add your name in opposition to this dangerous bill.