Sacramento CA, September 14, 2005 — Vision Service Plan (VSP), a national eyecare benefit provider with 41 million members, has joined forces with the American Red Cross to help bring vision services to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

VSP is working in conjunction with the Red Cross to distribute vouchers for eye exams and replacement eyewear. Currently, more than 27,000 vouchers have been provided at both the national and chapter levels in 27 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Voucher recipients will be entitled to receive a free eye exam and glasses from a local eye doctor.

"The collaboration between VSP and the Red Cross provides critical vision services to our fellow Americans during their time of need," said Roger J. Valine, president and CEO of VSP. "Working together, we are able to reach out to a vast number of hurricane victims and offer vital eye exam and eyewear services."

The Red Cross is pleased with VSP's leadership in this often overlooked element of disaster relief. "The reality is that countless victims lost prescription glasses during the devastating hurricane," said Kathleen Loehr, Vice President of Strategic Fundraising for the American Red Cross. "Granting comprehensive vision services -and the eyewear to see clearly again - is an important step in enabling these victims to rebuild their lives."

About VSP
VSP provides eyecare benefit plans that range from comprehensive eye examinations and materials to complete medical and surgical eyecare. With more than 41 million members nationwide, one in eight people in the United States relies on VSP for eyecare health coverage. VSP's Sight for Students program has helped more than 250,000 low-income/uninsured children receive free eyecare services since its inception in 1997. VSP, a company with over $2 billion in annual gross revenue, has been recognized by Fortune Magazine for the sixth consecutive year as one of best places to work in America. For more information, visit us online at www.vsp.com.

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