Congressman Davis Pushes Access Bill

Illinois Republican congressman Rodney Davis is pushing a bill that he says will provide a more open market for things like corrective lenses. During a tour of Identity Optical in Normal, Davis says the bill would allow companies like Identity Optical compete in markets where health care industries limit patient choice. "It's going to allow more competition, which is only going to benefit those of us with corrective eyewear. Because we could get lower prices and better access to locally produced products right here in Bloomington Normal." Davis says the bill has been introduced to the Energy and Commerce Committee. Nick Williams, the Chief Legal Officer of Identity Optical on West College Avenue, says the company maintains a stock of frames for the lenses it grinds. Williams says that allows for a much shorter turn-around for the patient. 35 states, including Illinois, have already passed similar measures. Congressman Davis says the federal legislation is needed to address companies regulated at the federal, instead of the state level. Currently the lens company is eyeing a 6,000 square foot expansion with a 33% increase in jobs.