Diabetic Retinopathy Prevention Act of 2005

The Diabetic Retinopathy Prevention Act of 2005 (H.R. 801) aimed to expand access to vision screenings for individuals with diabetes by allowing Medicare and Medicaid to cover remote diagnostic exams. Under this bill, patients could receive an annual eye assessment via telecommunications technology, provided the results were reviewed by a specialized ophthalmologist. Additionally, the legislation proposed a pilot program to fund mobile screening clinics specifically designed to reach rural, minority, and underserved communities. The primary goal of the bill was to prevent vision loss through early detection by making specialized eye care more accessible to those who cannot easily visit a doctor's office.