Power Hour Optometry Podcast Summary

Episode: AOA Leaders Summit 2026: The Battles, Wins, and Priorities Shaping Optometry

Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Eugene Shotsman, The Power Practice
Guests: Dr. Jackie Bowen (President, AOA), Dr. Terry Geist (President Elect, AOA), Dr. Terry Gossard (Vice President, AOA)
Location: AOA Leaders Summit, St. Louis

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a behind-the-scenes look at the annual AOA Leaders Summit, revealing how optometry’s leadership, committees, and advocates are shaping the profession’s future in the face of legislative threats, technological disruption, and evolving patient needs. Host Eugene Shotsman sits down with AOA’s top leaders to dissect current victories, ongoing battles, and strategies for 2026—covering everything from “not a doctor” legislative threats, scope expansion, and reimbursement wins, to the emergence of AI and innovation in optometric care.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The AOA Leaders Summit—Purpose and Energy

[04:49] Dr. Terry Gossard explains the Summit’s role as an energizing kickoff for the year, uniting over 300 volunteers across 26 committees:

• Committees focus: Evidence-based practice, innovation, advocacy, third-party reimbursement, and more.
• The Summit serves as both a review of past progress and a platform for launching new initiatives and setting committee directives for the year.

2. Legislative Advocacy: Defending and Advancing Optometry

“Not a Doctor” Bills: A Major Threat

[00:05, 12:40] Dr. Terry Geist & [14:42] Dr. Jackie Bowen:

• Rise of "Not a Doctor" legislation: Now present in 12 states; designed to prohibit optometrists from using the "doctor" title, which is viewed as unjust and a diversionary tactic by opponents.
• Response: Energized advocacy, swift responses to hidden “last-minute” legislative inserts, and unified national campaigns.
• Notable Win: In Florida, AOA advocacy led to the defeat of such a bill at the governor’s desk after a major profession-wide effort.

Quote:

“It’s just so outrageous for us not to be able to call ourselves doctors. So that’s something that we’re fighting in all states and we really have to be careful. ...Once Florida was finished, it seems to crop up all over the country.”
– Dr. Terry Geist, [12:40–14:02]

Vision Plan Abuses & Reimbursement

[15:13] Dr. Terry Gossard:

• Persistent issues with low reimbursement and increased costs; third-party payers and vision plans remain “critical threats”.
• AOA’s direct advocacy has resulted in $12 million returned to member doctors in the past 18 months.
• Reporting System: Members are encouraged to report issues via stopvisionplanabuses.org or by calling AOA directly.

Quote:

"We returned to AOA member doctors over $12 million in the past 18 months through direct advocacy work by the Third Party Committee."
– Dr. Terry Gossard, [16:21]

Recent and Pending Federal and State Wins

[08:43] Dr. Jackie Bowen:

• VA System Compensation Parity: Optometrists now recognized/paid at the physician level.
• Student Loan Parity: Optometry students receive loan limits equal with other health providers.
• Scope Expansion: 14 states now allow optometrists to perform lateral procedures; anticipation of increased legislation (17 states with pending scope expansion bills in 2026).
• Other wins: 2.5% Medicare pay bump offsetting previous cuts; tax pass-through victories; and increased support for patient-doctor relationship in lab/material sourcing.

3. Technology: Embracing Innovation, Guarding Against Threats

[07:25, 17:12] Innovation Focus

• Innovation Committee: Educates about and vets emerging technologies—both AI and clinical/retail applications.
• Approach: Embrace what augments patient care, scrutinize what detracts (e.g., kiosk eye exams; online-only care).
• Immediate Advocacy: Working with regulatory agencies (FTC), retailers (e.g., Walmart’s iBot kiosks), and student groups to counter technology that bypasses the comprehensive in-person eye exam or undermines patient safety.

Quotes:

"We always also make sure that [technology is] doing something to augment the patient experience and augment the exam. ...Certainly not a distraction or a detraction from the care that we’re giving every day."
– Dr. Jackie Bowen, [17:19]

"We use the phrase whack-a-mole all the time to talk about our discovery of detractors or bad actors in the field of technology."
– Dr. Jackie Bowen, [17:19]

4. Looking to 2026: Meetings and Innovation

Major Upcoming Meetings

• AOA on Capitol Hill: [22:24] Mobilizes hundreds of doctors/students for direct legislative advocacy with clear, focused, and consistent talking points ([26:46]), covering issues like vision care bills, Doc Access, and robocall verification for contact lenses.
• Optometry’s Meeting: [29:14] This year hosted in Phoenix; includes extensive CE, hands-on workshops, House of Delegates, and a prominent Industry Exhibit Hall.
• Innovation Hub: [32:02] Spotlights early-stage and smaller companies, clinical and admin innovations, and includes interactive panels and workshops to connect members with emerging solutions.

Quotes:

"This year we’ve had a lot of really smart individuals that are scraping through and combing through all the new technology... We’d never been afraid of technology."
– Dr. Terry Gossard, [32:19]

AI and the Future of Care

[34:43] Dr. Jackie Bowen & [36:10] Dr. Terry Geist:

• Highlights progress in “oculomics”—using AI and imaging (like OCT) to predict systemic diseases years before symptoms arise (e.g., dementia).
• Emphasizes how AI will boost practice efficiency, patient access, and the value of exams, especially in busy or rural settings.

Quotes:

“We can use AI, we can use new technologies to actually see more patients and really funnel the doctor's attention to the communication and recommendations rather than data collection. We got this.”
– Dr. Jackie Bowen, [39:41]

Scope Expansion into Aesthetics

• [24:32] Dr. Jackie Bowen: AOA is proactively supporting scope expansion into areas such as facial aesthetics, especially as allied health providers (estheticians, nurses) already perform many such procedures.
• Importance of optometrists knowing and shaping regulatory frameworks:

  "You gotta know what the rules are before you play the game. ...We're recommending that you leave room for the future."
  – Dr. Jackie Bowen, [24:32]

5. How Members Can Get Involved

[40:05] Dr. Terry Geist & [43:14] Dr. Terry Gossard:

• Join local/state/national committees (especially Strategic Communications, Advocacy, Innovation).
• Amplify awareness via social media—share AOA’s “I Deserve More” campaign ([41:34]), promote optometrist role in comprehensive care.
• Engage in grassroots and key-person legislative relationships; volunteer for direct Capitol Hill advocacy ([44:17] Dr. Jackie Bowen).
• Maintain AOA membership and recruit new members to strengthen the organization’s capacity ([43:12–43:58]).

Quote:

“I think we all yearn for the day where we don’t have to explain who an optometrist is and the services that we provide...”
– Dr. Terry Gossard, [41:46]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On “Not a Doctor” bills:

  “It’s just so outrageous for us not to be able to call ourselves doctors. …Once Florida was finished, it seems to crop up all over the country.”
  – Dr. Terry Geist, [12:40–14:02]

• On reimbursement advocacy:

  “We returned to AOA member doctors over $12 million in the past 18 months through direct advocacy work by the Third Party Committee.”
  – Dr. Terry Gossard, [16:21]

• On technology in care:

  “We always also make sure that it’s doing something to augment the patient experience and augment the exam. …Certainly not a distraction or a detraction from the care that we’re giving every day.”
  – Dr. Jackie Bowen, [17:19]

• On AOA’s public awareness efforts:

  “We have a fantastic campaign called I Deserve More … If you see those social media posts, help us spread the word.”
  – Dr. Terry Geist, [40:05]

• On future of eye care and AI:

  “We can use AI… to actually see more patients and really funnel the doctor’s attention to the communication and recommendations rather than data collection. We got this.”
  – Dr. Jackie Bowen, [39:41]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Advocacy Against “Not a Doctor” Bills: [00:05], [12:40–14:41]
• Summit Purpose & Committee Highlights: [04:49–07:25]
• Innovation & Technology Committees: [07:25–08:24], [32:02–34:27]
• Key Wins from 2025: [08:43–11:47]
• Vision Plan/Reimbursement Advocacy: [15:13–16:40]
• Threats from Kiosk Technology, Walmart iBot: [17:12–21:25]
• Scope Expansion & Aesthetics: [24:32–26:31]
• AOA Capitol Hill & Advocacy Events: [22:24–29:05]
• Student Engagement & Membership: [29:14–30:34], [43:12–44:13]
• How to Stay Informed/Engaged: [45:05–46:40]

Keeping Up With the AOA

• Week in Focus: Weekly email summary for AOA members ([45:05])
• AOA Focus: Quarterly magazine
• First Look: Daily email with top headlines, including direct links to advocacy resources ([45:54])
• Social Media and Website: For critical updates, volunteer opportunities, and public outreach campaigns

Final Takeaways

This wide-ranging episode is a must-listen for anyone in or around the optometric industry who wants clear answers on what the AOA is doing at both the macro (legislation, advocacy, technology leadership) and micro (practice-level support, reimbursement wins) levels. The collective voices of Drs. Bowen, Geist, and Gossard make clear the AOA’s dual focus on protecting and propelling the profession. If you want to help shape the future of optometry, your next step should be joining, engaging, and advocating through your local, state, and national organizations.

For questions, stories, or to get involved, reach out via Power Hour’s channels or visit PowerPractice.com.