AGD Capitol Connections

On November 22, 2024, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), current Ranking Member and expected Chairman next Congress of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2024, which would strengthen cybersecurity requirements in the health care sector.

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Dr. Oz, a physician and former television personality, is expected to bring a focus on preventive health and holistic care to CMS if confirmed.

President-elect Donald Trump has officially nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary. Kennedy, an environmental advocate with well-known suspicions regarding vaccine safety and efficacy, has called for increased transparency and restructuring of federal health agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Join this free, two-half day virtual event to gain insights into the current legislative and regulatory landscape and how they are affecting your practice or could in the future. Hear from AGD leaders on issues they are tracking and learn how you can make a difference at the state and federal levels.

On October 18, 2024, Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and Deputy Administrator Dan Tsai urging the agency to address the critical shortage of addiction medicine specialists in the U.S. to improve access to substance use disorder (SUD) services for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) patients, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

On October 30, 2024, the AGD sent a letter to House and Senate Leadership of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, including House Subcommittee Chair Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Senate Subcommittee Chair Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), House Subcommittee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Senate Subcommittee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

On October 10, 2024, Premier Inc. released survey data indicating that more than 86 percent of providers are facing an IV fluid shortage, with over half of respondents possessing a 10-day supply or less.

On October 9, 2024, the Academy of General Dentistry, along with other organizations, sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressing support for the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4531 / S. 3393).

On September 26, 2024, the Biden Administration released new guidance on Medicaid and CHIP coverage for children. This comprehensive guidance, the most detailed Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) framework released in a decade, highlights best practices and strategies for states to meet Medicaid’s EPSDT requirements.

On September 25, 2024, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (CR), H.R. 9747, to maintain federal funding through December 20, 2024, which the Senate passed shortly thereafter.

On September 9, 2024, Congress returned to session following a six-week summer recess, and now must reach an agreement in the coming days to fund the government and avoid a shutdown.

On August 20, 2024, a federal district court judge in Texas struck down the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) rule banning noncompete clauses in employment agreements.

In late July AGD exhibited at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Annual Meeting in Denver. ALEC brings together legislators from around the country who support free markets, limited government and federalism.

On August 16, 2024, AGD wrote to House Energy & Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-5), advocating against the proposed restructuring of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

On July 24, 2024, AGD, alongside 17 other organizations, sent a letter of support to the sponsors of the Oral Health Products Inclusion Act (H.R. 8599). This legislation would allow funds from health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to be used to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) oral health products, such as toothbrushes and floss.

On July 23, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its inaugural Oral Health Cross-Cutting Initiative (CCI) fact sheet. The fact sheet provides an overview of the Oral Health CCI and the program’s key results so far.

On July 12, 2024, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) wrote a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger, urging them to develop and release a set of mandatory national minimum cybersecurity standards for health care organizations.

As state legislative sessions wind down, dental insurance reform continues to be a hot issue in the Capitol. Last week Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro signed into law a bill prohibiting insurers from requiring providers to accept credit cards as payment for services.

On June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Chevron U. S. A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce.

On June 26, 2024, the House Appropriations Committee released the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee spending bill, which would allocate $185.8 billion in discretionary funding.