Washington, DC - The Latino Coalition (TLC), a national advocacy organization representing Hispanic businesses and consumers, raised concerns today about the Contact Lens Consumer Health Protection Act of 2016.  The new legislation, pending before the Senate Commerce Committee, would roll back critical consumer protections for contact lens wearers.  

“Hispanics are the fastest growing segment of the contact lens market and we are committed to protecting their rights as consumers,” said Allen Gutierrez, National Executive Director of The Latino Coalition.  “Thanks to the 2004 Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA), the price of contact lenses has come down and convenience for consumers has gone up.  The fact that buyers can get their contacts in the mail, at a local drugstore or box store is critical when time is premium, especially for the small business owners and employers we represent.  This new bill introduced by Senator Cassidy would gut the landmark FCLCA 2004 law, harming the Hispanic contact lens consumer across the country.”

S.2777, the new bill introduced by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), claims to “update” the landmark 2004 Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act.  The initial law entitled consumers to their contact lens prescription in order to purchase product wherever they desired— creating choice and competition in the marketplace.  However, S.2777 rolls back some of the important provisions of the FCLCA bill and introduces hurdles for consumers.  This month, the FTC issued a warning letter about consumer rights, after receiving thousands of complaints from buyers being denied their contact lens prescription by their optometrist.

“The Contact Lens Consumer Health Protection Act of 2016 is a substantial step backward for Hispanic contact lens consumers,” Gutierrez added.  “We urge Congress to reject this new bill and protect the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act."

ABOUT THE LATINO COALITION-The Latino Coalition (TLC) was founded in 1995 by a group of Hispanic business owners from across the country to research and develop policies solutions relevant to Latinos.  TLC is a non-profit nationwide organization with offices in California, Washington, DC and Guadalajara, Mexico.  Established to address and engage on key issues that that directly affect the well-being of Hispanics in the United States, TLC’s agenda is to create and promote initiatives and partnerships that will foster economic equivalency and enhance and empower overall business, economic and social development for Latinos.  Visit