119th Congress · introduced in the House · Feb 24, 2025
DOC Access Act of 2025
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Feb 24, 2025): Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Health
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in House (Feb 24, 2025)
Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2025 or the DOC Access Act of 2025
This bill prohibits private health insurance plans from setting rates for items and services, except for dental cleanings, provided by a doctor of optometry, of dental surgery, or of dental medicine (or an employer of such a doctor) for which the plan does not pay a substantial amount.
Additionally, an agreement between a plan and such a doctor for limited scope dental or vision benefits may last longer than two years only with the prior acceptance of the doctor for each term extension. Plans also may not restrict such a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers.
Such doctors may elect to waive the application of the payment amount and choice of laboratories provisions of this bill.
The bill does not supersede state laws regarding health insurers and dental or vision benefit plans.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
No recorded roll calls on this bill in coverage.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
Civil actions and liability · Dental care · Employee benefits and pensions · Health care costs and insurance · Health care coverage and access · Hearing, speech, and vision care · State and local government operations
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsCoverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 24, 2026.
142 citations; showing the 25 most recently posted.
AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: VINCENT BRANDYS
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 21, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$40,000
Paid to lobbying firm
HR1521 HR 4282
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: YC CONSULTING, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 21, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
H.R. 1521, DOC Access Act of 2025 S. 1716, Vision Lab Choice Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF KANSAS INC · lobbying firm or registrant: BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF KANSAS, INC.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$10,000
Spent on own lobbying
…l mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities in the United States, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14] H.R.1521 - DOC Access Act of 2025 To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to improve health care coverage under vision and dental plans, and for other pur…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
PACIFIC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY · lobbying firm or registrant: PACIFIC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Insurance
$380,000
Spent on own lobbying
…xcepted Supplemental Benefits Protection Act -- preserve employer flexibility to offer voluntary excepted-benefit products such as supplemental health coverage HR 1521 -- DOC Access Act -- prohibits insurance plans from dictating rates optometrists and dentists can charge patients for non-covered items and services HR 7187 --…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: CAPITOL VENTURE LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Legislation related to optometric care access, including H.R.1521 - DOC Access Act of 2025, all provisions related to optometric care.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Insurance
$210,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ual credit cards, prior authorization, retroactive denials, downcoding, prompt payment, and application of state dental insurance reforms to self-funded plans. H.R. 1521, Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act S. 1677/H.R. 3277, Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA) S. 1164/H.R. 1397, Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: VENABLE LLP
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
H.R. 1521, the DOC Access Act of 2025; FY27 Appropriations Bill; H.R. 9393, the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act of 2026.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF FLORIDA INC · lobbying firm or registrant: BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF FLORIDA, INC.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$100,000
Spent on own lobbying
…l mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities in the United States, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14] H.R.1521 - DOC Access Act of 2025 To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to improve health care coverage under vision and dental plans, and for other pur…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$1,240,000
Spent on own lobbying
…l mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities in the United States, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14] H.R.1521 - DOC Access Act of 2025 To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to improve health care coverage under vision and dental plans, and for other pur…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: THE SMITH-FREE GROUP, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$50,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Discussions regarding vertical integration and provider autonomy P.L. 119-21, One Big Beautiful Bill Act; provisions relating to health care H.R. 1521, the DOC Access Act of 2025 (all sections of full text)(support) Discussing pertaining to eligibility of oral health services as qualified expenses through HSA…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
DELTA DENTAL PLANS ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: DELTA DENTAL PLANS ASSOCIATION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$60,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R. 1397/S. 1164 - Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act; H.R. 1521: Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act; S. 5089 Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026; S. 891: Bipartisan Health Care Act; S. 2084: Medicare and Medicaid D…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS · lobbying firm or registrant: INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$200,000
Spent on own lobbying
…s and other issues raised in the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act (S. 2355), the Health Care Price Certainty for All Act (H.R. 9645), as well as DOC Access Act (H.R. 1521), dealing with payment structures for optometrists and dentists.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VSP · lobbying firm or registrant: VSP
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$100,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R 1521 Dental and Optometric Care Access Act S. 1716, the Vision Lab Choice Act Vision Care and Vision Care Plan Related Issues
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
DELTA DENTAL PLANS ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: THORN RUN PARTNERS
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Insurance
$60,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Issues related to promoting affordability and access to dental health care. S.1164/H.R.1397 - Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act. H.R.1521 - DOC Access Act of 2025. Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
METLIFE GROUP, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: ERNST & YOUNG LLP (WASHINGTON COUNCIL ERNST & YOUNG)
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$50,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Issues related to electronic disclosure and H.R. 1521, the "DOC Access Act"
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DENTAL PLANS · lobbying firm or registrant: HOOPER, LUNDY & BOOKMAN, P.C.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Insurance
$60,000
Paid to lobbying firm
H.R. 1521 - DOC Access Act of 2025; H.R. 7931 - the IDA Act of 2026
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF LIFE INSURERS · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN COUNCIL OF LIFE INSURERS
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Retirement
$1,002,681
Spent on own lobbying
…Partnerships Act. Issue: paid family and medical leave H.R. 3090 - Interstate Paid Leave Action Network Act (I-PLAN Act). Issue: paid family and medical leave H.R. 1521 - Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2025 or the DOC Access Act of 2025. Issue: dental and vision insurance H.R.1185 - FAMILY Act. Issue: paid family an…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Immigration
$4,540,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R. 1521 - The DOC Access Act, all provisions H.R.1201 - Doctors in our Borders Act, all provisions H.R.1585 - Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act,…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
METLIFE, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: DAVIS & HARMAN LLP
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
H.R. 1521, Dentist and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act of 2025.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VSP · lobbying firm or registrant: INVARIANT LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 18, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$80,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Monitor issues related to vision care plans, including H.R.1521, the DOC Access Act of 2025, and S.1716, the Vision Lab Choice Act of 2025. Educate policymakers on consumer choice and competition in the vision market.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 15, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$510,000
Spent on own lobbying
…e Education Reconciliation Act (Implementation). ISSUE: General issues related to dental benefits. H.R. 1397, S.1164- Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act H.R. 1521, - DOC Access Act - Issues related to dental and vision insurance. H.R. 9393, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act of 2026; Issue: Vision insurance benefits Adva…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ESSILORLUXOTTICA USA INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: ESSILORLUXOTTICA USA INC.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 13, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$300,000
Spent on own lobbying
Introduction to EssilorLuxottica; Med-tech innovations; Issues related to Myopia education; Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations; H.R.1521 - DOC Access Act; S.1716 - Vision Lab Choice Act.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
THORN RUN PARTNERS (OBO DELTA DENTAL PLANS ASSOCIATION) · lobbying firm or registrant: GOVERNMENT COUNSEL, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 8, 2026 · issue area: Insurance
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
S.1164 & H.R.1397-Increaseing Access to Dental Insurance Act; H.R.7931-Improving Dental Administration Act of 2026; H.R. 1521-Dental and Optometric Care Access Act of 2025.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 28, 2026 · issue area: Insurance
$1,100,000
Spent on own lobbying
…nd typical employer standard, including pediatric oral health EHB, adult dental coverage, stand-alone dental plans, riders, carve-outs, and state flexibility.t H.R. 1521, Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act S. 1677/H.R. 3277, Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA) S. 1164/H.R. 1397, Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: VINCENT BRANDYS
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 21, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$40,000
Paid to lobbying firm
HR1521 HR 4282
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing