Children entering Kindergarten would have to have an eye exam along with their shots before enrolling under a bill filed in both the House and Senate. House Speaker Rod Jetton of Marble Hill sponsors the bill. He says about 64,000 5-year-olds enroll in Missouri schools each year. An estimated 10-percent of them might have eye problems. Eye exams cost between $60 and $90. Medicaid would cover the poor and private insurance would catch most of the rest. Jetton says many civic groups have stated they are ready to step in and pay the bill for those caught in-between.
