WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and SportsW.Va. Senate OKs eye surgery by non-MDs
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Associated Press - February 23, 2010 12:55 PM ET
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A relatively obscure issue has provoked a rare fight among Democrats in the state Senate, and the House of Delegates could be next.
A divided Senate voted 20-13 Tuesday to allow optometrists to provide a broader range of procedures, including some types of laser surgery for patients with glaucoma.
The bill has been resisted by groups representing ophthalmologists, who say optometrists aren't qualified to perform the work. Unlike ophthalmologists, optometrists aren't medical doctors.
Opponents of the bill in the Senate say it was rammed through without being referred to the health committee, which normally oversees legislation regarding medical practice.
Supporters of the measure accuse their opponents of being disingenuous and negotiating in bad faith.
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