Ala. Code § 22-4-11
The State Board of Health, with the advice and consultation of the Statewide Health Coordinating Council, is hereby authorized and empowered to prepare, review and revise as necessary a preliminary state health plan which shall be made up of the health systems plans of the health systems agencies within the state. The state agency may make revisions of the health systems plans to achieve appropriate coordination or to deal more effectively with statewide health needs. The preliminary state health plan shall be submitted to the statewide health coordinating council for approval or disapproval and for its use in developing the State Health Plan. The State Board of Health is authorized to confer with any or all other persons, organizations or governmental agencies that have an interest in public health problems and needs.
Any portion of the State Health Plan that provides for visual care, as authorized in Chapter 22 of Title 34 of this Code, relating to optometry, shall provide that the service shall be performed by a duly licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist or licensed physician skilled in the diseases of the eye, whichever the patient or individual may select.
Ala. Code § 22-4-11 (1975)