Help Support the AGD Advocacy Fund
The AGD Advocacy Fund supports national and constituent advocacy efforts by providing resources to tackle new matters, such as legislation or legal action affecting the practice of general dentistry.
Senate Health Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Holds Hearing on Access to Dental Care
On May 16, 2024, the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing entitled, Examining the Dental Care Crisis in America: How Can We Make Dental Care More Affordable and More Available? The hearing examined the root causes of barriers to accessing adequate dental care including workforce shortages and student loan debt, and potential policy solutions to fill these gaps.
Help Support the AGD Advocacy Fund
The AGD Advocacy Fund supports national and constituent advocacy efforts by providing resources to tackle new matters, such as legislation or legal action affecting the practice of general dentistry.
HHS Delays Ban on Menthol Cigarettes
On April 26, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra released a statement delaying the finalization of a ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially proposed a ban on menthol cigarettes on April 28, 2022, in a proposed rule entitled, Tobacco Product Standard for Menthol in Cigarettes.
House and Senate Committees Question UnitedHealth Group CEO on Change Healthcare Cyberattack
On May 1, 2024, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing entitled, Hacking America’s Health Care: Assessing the Change Healthcare Cyber Attack and What’s Next. Additionally, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce (E&C) Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, Examining the Change Healthcare Cyberattack.
Help Support the AGD Advocacy Fund
The AGD Advocacy Fund supports national and constituent advocacy efforts by providing resources to tackle new matters, such as legislation or legal action affecting the practice of general dentistry.
Oral Health Now A CMS Cross-Cutting Initiative
On May 16, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its Strategic Plan page to include a new Cross Cutting Initiative (CCI): Oral Health.
AGD Hill Day Highlights
On May 22nd and 23rd AGD leaders from around the country descended on our nation's capital to petition their government on behalf of general dentists. Below are a few attendee highlights.
Help Support the AGD Advocacy Fund
The AGD Advocacy Fund supports national and constituent advocacy efforts by providing resources to tackle new matters, such as legislation or legal action affecting the practice of general dentistry.
AGD Comments on the FTC Noncompete Proposal
On April 18, the AGD submitted a comment to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on their proposal to ban non-compete clauses. The proposed rule would affect one in five workers in the U.S. The AGD asked the FTC to immediately withdraw their proposal as many sections of the proposal require more research and development.
Experts at the CMS 2023 Quality Conference Address the Importance of Oral Health Care
On May 1-3, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted the 2023 Quality Conference entitled, Building Resilient Communities: Having an Equitable Foundation for Quality Healthcare.
Help Support the AGD Advocacy Fund
The AGD Advocacy Fund supports national and constituent advocacy efforts by providing resources to tackle new matters, such as legislation or legal action affecting the practice of general dentistry.
AGD Responds to RFI on CDC Reform
On April 23, the AGD submitted a response to a Request For Information from Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks(IA-01) about reforming the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
MACPAC Discusses Dental Benefits in Medicaid
On April 13–14, 2023, the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) held its April Public Meeting, including a session entitled, Access to Covered Dental Benefits for Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries: Panel Discussion.
Senator Sanders Introduces the Medicare for All Act
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced the Medicare for All Act of 2022, sweeping legislation that would expand Medicare to every U.S. resident within four years of its enactment and overhaul the American healthcare system in favor of a government funded, single-payer system.
HRSA Welcomes New Chief Dental Officer
Dr. Adam Barefoot DMD, MPH, has joined the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as the agency’s Chief Dental Officer (CDO).
HHS Secretary Issues Notice Officially Establishing ARPA-H
Last month, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra issued notice establishing the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) under the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
FDA Issues Final Rule Revising Fluoridation Standards for Bottled Water
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule revising the quality standard for the amount of manufacture-added fluoride permitted in bottled water from 0.8 mg/L ppm to 0.7 mg/L ppm.
AGD Advocates for Increased Funding for OSH
The AGD joined 64 other health and community organizations in letters to House and Senate appropriators urging their respective committees to increase fiscal year 2023 funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) by $68.5 million for a total of $310 million.
AGD Supports FSA Improvement Legislation
The AGD sent a letter of support to the sponsors of the Responsible Additions and Increases to Sustain Employee (RAISE) Health Benefits Act on May 10.